The right caregiver can help your loved one to maintain their independence and quality of life as they age in place. But finding a caregiver can take time, especially when you’re doing all the searching, interviewing and vetting. A home care agency can save you time, give you peace of mind and make it easier to find a good match for your family.
Ask for referrals from friends and acquaintances who already have a professional caregiver. Their recommendations will be based on their experience and can be trusted as being objective. Some agencies also use word of mouth and other marketing strategies to recruit caregivers, and can match clients with the best available caregiver.
When bringing a new caregiver into your loved one’s home, you should first conduct a phone interview and request references. It’s important to know if they have the credentials and licensing to do their job, particularly if they are handling medications. In addition, you may want to learn more about their background and personal interests such as hobbies, children or pets.
It’s also a good idea to have your loved one meet their attendant before hiring them. This allows them to build a bond and feel more comfortable with someone they’re going to spend significant time with. If your loved one is hesitant about hiring an attendant, you can reassure them that having a companion can improve their quality of life. Caregivers come from all backgrounds and you may find that your loved one gets along better with a attendant that shares a similar language or cultural background. find a caregiver