Having a caregiver agency is often seen as a convenient way for families to obtain care for loved ones. This may include hiring a private individual who offers in-home care or using a website that matches clients with qualified caregivers. Ultimately, the decision for families depends on what type of care is required and what price point is reasonable.
Finding a Caregivers agency to hire is the first step toward obtaining quality home care for your loved one, but it can also be a challenging and time-consuming process. Here are a few tips to help you find the best home care agency for your family.
The first thing to do is decide whether you need a franchised or independent agency. Typically, franchised agencies have a better reputation and offer a pre-established set of policies and procedures, pricing structures, and staff training programs. On the other hand, with an independent agency, you have greater flexibility to establish your own policies and procedures and customize your pricing structure.
Before you hire any agency, conduct a thorough research and screening process. This includes asking questions about the agency’s background, the services they offer and the types of employees they employ. Then, schedule a meet and greet with the agency to talk with potential caregivers and get answers to your questions.
Ask about how they screen their applicants and how much experience they have with the illness or condition your loved one needs care for. Most agencies offer a trial period to ensure that the potential caregiver is the right fit for your loved one’s needs.
In addition, a good agency will be able to provide backup care should the primary caregiver be unavailable. This can prevent the client from being without care when an issue arises or a new diagnosis is discovered.
During the interview, ask your potential caregivers if they have previous experience providing in-home care and how they would handle any issues that arise during their time with your loved one. If they have experience, it can help them feel more confident about their ability to perform the duties of a caregiver and alleviate any fears you might have as your loved one’s primary caretakers.
Another question to ask is if they have any references who can speak to the caregiver’s reliability and compassion. These can be especially helpful when your loved one’s care needs are complex and involve multiple tasks.
If the answer to these questions is no, it’s likely that you won’t have a reliable caregiver on your hands. Fortunately, most agencies have an on-site supervisor who can oversee the care provided by the aides you hire. This helps ensure the highest level of quality care possible for your loved one.
While it isn’t always possible to have an employee sit in on all shifts, having at least a few on-site staff members available to answer any office phone calls during off-hours can be invaluable for your clients. Not only will this allow your staff to communicate scheduling issues before they arise, but it will also let your clients have a voice if something does go wrong with their care. Caregivers agency