Caregiving Support: Questions to ask when hiring a private caregiver
As discussed in my Caregiver Blog, there are two basic ways to hire a private caregiver, either use a Home Health Aide agency, or hire a private individual through word of mouth, etc. Once you decide what it is that you are looking for, there are a variety of questions you will want to ask in order to make an informed decision.
If you choose to hire a private individual, do the necessary homework, ask trusted friends or neighbors, or your doctor if they can recommend a caregiver. Ask for references from the caregiver, and call to check up on their authenticity.
If using an agency, I recommend calling at least two agencies to compare services and costs.
Following is a list of recommended questions:
What is the minimum number of hours per day/week that you offer?
How much is it per hour? Does this amount go down with larger blocks of time?
What is the cost of a live-in aide?
What additional fees are there for live-in caregivers?
Do I have to buy their food?
How often are they switched out to have time off?
What training/credentials do your caregivers have?
What training does your staff have related to coping with individuals with dementia?
If I need someone just for over nights due to the patient waking up frequently during the night, do you have that time slot available?
How can I be sure this caregiver is actually staying awake?
Can your caregivers administer medication?
Does the caregiver cook?
What is the process if I feel that the staff member is NOT a good fit?
What is the process if your staff member calls out sick?
Can the caregiver drive? Are they allowed to take the care recipient out to the store, etc.
Some families have needs that are less common, which might include:
The care recipient's first language is “X,” do you have anyone that speaks this language? (Persons with dementia, who learned English as a second language, will sometimes revert back to their first language as their illness progresses.)
We have a cat/dog, will this be a problem for your staff?
Can your staff assist with the care needs of the pets?
The care recipient is a smoker, will your staff have an issue with this?
If the care recipient is a male, or an exceptionally large individual, having a male caregiver might be beneficial. You can ask if they have a male caregiver available.
The care recipient is on hospice, have your staff members previously cared for an individual on hospice?
Lastly, any time you are having a stranger in your home, remove all of the valuables, or lock them up securely. Do not hide jewelry in the sock drawer, do not leave check books or bank statements unattended, etc. Most people are good and kind, but we can never tell what they might be going through in their private lives.
