As most parents and seniors advance in age and into their golden years, their needs become elevated. It is not unusual for most of them to have a few health challenges, not to mention reduced energy. Most of them will require a higher level of care from their younger loved ones. If you or a friend has elderly relatives, you can attest to it that taking good care of it is not an easy thing. This is especially if you are a working woman or man who has little or no time to tend to all the needs of your elderly loved one.
If your guess is as good as anyone’s, this is where the need to hire a caregiver comes in. But again, not all caregivers are equal. Not all of them will take good care of your senior relative, fulfill their needs, and ensure they are comfortable. In this piece, we shall cover a few things to think about when hiring a caregiver for your aging relative.
1. Consider the Needs of Your Loved One’s
Selecting a caregiver for your loved one can be a daunting task. There are always fears that come with welcoming a stranger into your home. While hiring a caregiver, it’s always advisable to ensure you prioritize the needs of your loved one. For instance, if you are hiring a caregiver for your parent who is aged and can’t drive to and from the doctor’s appointments, ensure you hire one with good driving records. You can request her to provide you with the records from the authorities. It will reveal if she is a responsible driver, and give you the needed peace of mind that your loved one will be safe.
2. Caregiver Reputation
Most families find themselves between a rock and a hard place with a family member suffering from an enfeebling health condition. The only option they are left with is, hiring a caregiver to look after their loved one. If you are planning on hiring an in-house caregiver, it is best to get someone from a highly regarded caregiving agency. As the guys over at NurseNextDoor.com put it, a reputed caregiver can help your aged mom or dad stay at home without necessarily enrolling in an elderly care facility. They can help you get back to living your life as a son or daughter, knowing that your aging parent is in good hands.
Lately, there have been chilling stories of caregivers who have mishandled the patients. Hiring a cheap caregiver from the backstreet can do more harm than good. A distinguished agency will most likely provide you with a good caregiver. The agency will help you to select the appropriate caregiver depending on your needs and those of your senior relative.
3. Responsible and Trustworthy
While choosing a caregiver, you need to ensure they are trustworthy and honest. These two traits are key, especially if it’s an in-house caregiver. You need someone responsible who will take good care of your older folks, as well as their resources at home. You can do this by conducting a rigorous background check or having a chat with their previous employer.
4. Interview
Caregiving, like any other job, requires you to conduct an interview. There are a lot of essential elements you need to consider before hiring. An interview is one of those key steps which can’t be overlooked while hiring a caregiver for your loved one. Go through the resume carefully, noting every detail. If there is any information missing, don’t shrink from asking for it. You need to furnish yourself with all the necessary information. An interview will help you gauge whether the person has the capability and knowledge regarding the duty they are about to embark on. Conduct multiple interviews with different caregivers. It will help you make an informed decision. Don’t forget to have a pre-trial period before hiring the caregiver permanently. This will give you a window to observe the caregiver closely before hiring.
5. Referrals
Experience is the best teacher. If you are planning to hire a caregiver, a referral from friends and family can help you find a good one. For instance, it can give you much assurance if a friend recommends a caregiver, unlike if you had to source a total stranger by yourself. It might be someone whom they had hired previously. Even for employers, a referral can boost your confidence in a candidate when hiring them. However, don’t entirely rely on their word of mouth. Ensure you do your due diligence before hiring the recommended person.
When our seniors hit old age, they become like babies requiring round clock attention. Taking care of them can be a formidable task considering that you still need to run your life. This is when reaching out to a helping hand becomes your only inevitable option. Caregiving is a tough job. It requires professionals who are equally tough and passionate about the job. The above few pointers will hopefully help you find a great caregiver for your elderly loved one.
Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Featured image by Sabine van Erp de Pixabay.
