Finding the right in-home elderly caregiver is no breezy task. Like anyone you invite into your home, you need to have a good idea of a potential caregiver’s background, their approach to senior care and, simply, whether or not you see yourself establishing a real, genuine relationship with that person or not. You should approach your quest for finding the right caregiver like you would the hunt for a new doctor—focus on trust, above all else—but make sure to put some emphasis on personal connection. Remember, in the best scenarios, home caregivers become a part of the family, so you want to choose someone with whom you can personally connect.
One important thing to note is that you should always pick your caregiver from a registry or agency like ours. Superior Senior Care does all the vetting for you, including background checks and screenings, so that you feel comfortable, safe and trusting of any caregiver invited into your home.
- What are your qualifications? There is a national accrediting body for caregivers, the American Caregiver Association (ACA), but general caregivers who help with day-to-day tasks don’t necessarily need to be licensed or certified. If you’re looking for someone to help you with tasks of everyday life, there is often no need for formal accreditation. In-home caregivers may also be licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs), all of which require more extensive training. Those with serious medical conditions may prefer an in-home nurse instead of a caregiver. The right in-home care agency will help you decide which qualifications you should focus on.
- Do you have any formal training or certifications? Even if a caregiver isn’t officially licensed or certified, he or she may have some extra certifications or training that might be relevant to your specific needs. For example, your caregiver might be trained in CPR or first-aid. If this is important to you, you can also ask potential caregivers whether or not they’d be willing to obtain certain certifications to suit your needs.
- Can you help with everyday tasks, like cooking and cleaning? Indeed, the most common reason why seniors seek out in-home care is because they need assistance with regular, everyday activities, such as dressing, preparing meals and getting to appointments. A good in-home caregiver must be comfortable in the kitchen. Be sure to ask what kinds of foods they like to cook and if they’re comfortable making the dishes you prefer to eat. If you need regular transportation to appointments, errands and social gatherings, make sure that your caregiver candidate has a reliable mode of transportation—or insurance that follows the driver in case you prefer that he or she drive your car—and a driver’s license.
- How flexible is your schedule? Caregivers may work in a wide range of capacities, from part-time work to full-time and live-in situations. It’s important to establish upfront whether or not your caregiver’s availability matches your needs. Additionally, you should consider that there are some times where you might need more help than usual. On those days, will your caregiver be free to help you for an hour or two beyond his or her regular commitment?
- How do you handle difficult situations? Being an in-home caregiver isn’t an easy task. Assisting people who are limited in mobility, who experience memory loss or who are recovering from trauma and surgery can make even normal activities slower and more frustrating than usual. Because of this, it takes a special kind of person—someone who’s patient, understanding and comfortable when things go wrong—to be a top-tier caregiver.
- Do you know how to use a computer? While the aging population is becoming increasingly more comfortable with the digital world, 34 percent of seniors still aren’t connected to the internet. Children interviewing caregivers for their parents often prioritize this in the hopes that a caregiver can help their elderly loved ones stay connected with friends and family. Technology can also help simplify things like managing prescriptions, getting to and from doctor’s offices and meal planning.
- What are your hobbies and interests? Last, but not least, remember that you’re essentially inviting this person into your life, and it helps if you have some common interests and if you generally connect with the person. Asking questions like “What do you do in your spare time?” will help you get a good understanding of who that person is beyond their professional persona.
Superior Senior Care is always available to help you find the right caregiver for your specific needs. Partnering with a company like ours ensures that you get the right level of care—whether it’s someone to help you grab groceries and cook dinner or simply someone to talk to—to help make your twilight years more enjoyable and to help you maintain your independence.]]>