Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Caregiver
Finding caregivers in this pandemic has been and continues to be quite challenging, especially for older adults who are trying to avoid exposure to the Covid-19 virus and the rapidly spreading variant. Around the country, many older adults were isolated and/or quarantined in their homes and/or care facilities a greater part of last year. People continue to need assistance with their medical and personal needs as well as basic supplies.
Many people are unsure of the proper or right steps to take to find a caregiver that will be a good fit for them or their loved one. We have created a list to assist with that task.
Qualifications
Working with older adults requires a level of skill, knowledge, and patience in addition to any certifications the individual may have. Equally important are character traits (such as compassion, kindness, caring, trustworthiness, to name a few) that can better ensure a [more] positive and efficient experience for the caregiver and the client.
Services Provided
Medical aside, there are many services that clients might need, especially if they are home bound. Some of the services we provide include (but not limited to): attending events, scheduling and coordinating appointments, travel companionship, errands, cleaning, chores, workout buddy, light housekeeping, and more. The important thing is that the provider is flexible and provides enough services to keep the client at ease and comfortable.
Availability
The caregiver should be available on the days and for the times needed. Check to see if the caregiver has any existing time constraints. Also, the caregiver should have reliable transportation and proof of insurance. This could impact their ability to provide services such as going to appointments or doing errands. The more flexibility the better.
Prescreening and Training
We qualify our caregivers by verifying their background (education, work history, certification and trainings) and conduct background checks. We also check for vaccination status (Covid-19).
Costs
When looking for care services, it’s important to first identify your sources of available funding to cover the cost of services: Long Term Care Insurance, Medicare, Social Security, private pay, etc. Each of these services has different eligibility requirements. It’s best to investigate what the requirements are and their associated costs prior to hiring a provider. Important to note is that not all providers are Medicare certified.
In addition, figuring out what a care plan might look like for you or your loved one is a key factor in determining what type of service and provider you will need. Costs vary by geographic location and between agencies and direct hires. Consider how many hours/days of service you might need or can afford.
Shop and compare and check for reviews (if available) so that sound decisions can be made. We offer a wide range of services, and if you would like a better understanding of them or you would like to contact us, CLICK HERE.