Over 41 million Americans have a chronic condition that limits their daily activities in one way or another, this is according to the Department of Health and Aging at the University of California and 12 million are unable to live independently. One in five seniors who have attained the age of 85, over half are in need long-term care - where the receive personal assistance to enable them to perform everyday tasks such as eating, washing and dressing. Most people still want to live in their own homes as long as possible and for those who are elderly or disabled this may be possible with outside help.
Most people who need help with their daily activities are dependent on unpaid care for family members and friends. Increasingly, however, the elderly and their families recognize the benefits of using caregivers to help them stay in their homes longer, with more comfort and security and peace of mind. Similarly, many states (including MI) and the federal government, set aside some funds to allow people who otherwise could not afford to pay for outside help.
Here are 10 tips for choosing a caregiver:
First, test your home care needs. Evaluate the need for assistance in health care, personal care and housekeeping. Do you need home health care, like physical therapy or medication management? If you need non-medical personal care such as help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and preparing meals, or are you looking primarily for a companion or sitter? Decide whether you need help with cleaning, shopping, home maintenance and running errands or paying bills and managing your money?
Secondly, write a job description based on the assistance that is needed. Remember to include: health care training required (level and type: Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, nurse) to drive (car or a license necessary to conduct valid) Ability to lift care recipient and / or operate specialized equipment.
Third, develop a contract. The contract is based on job description and should include the following: payroll, when and how payment will be made for hours worked. Record the employee's social security number (because you must report wages paid to the Internal Revenue Service). Please include unacceptable behavior job description (like smoking, abusive language, delays, etc.) Notify them of your termination policy (how much notice, reasons for dismissal, etc.) Have the dated signature of both the employee and the employer (that's you).
Fourth, knowing where to look for a care provider. Identify the pool from which you can find a babysitter. You can ask neighbors or friends who are good prospective families. If you belong to a church, ask your pastor or minister of perspective members, your family is OK but first and foremost, the management and the dismissal of a support person are all business decisions and family members who are not well paid may not be your best choice. Hire a professional caregiver if you can afford it (I can help you find one, so don't be shy).
Fifth on this checklist interviewing the candidates. Prepare a list of questions to ask. Have a separate list for each applicant, care giving agency, referral service, or reference you may call. You need to gather different information from each of these sources. If you don't know what questions to ask, call a caregiver agency. The agency should be helpful enough get get an idea of what types of questions to ask, don't forget that you are a prospective customer.
Sixth step, now it's time for an in-person interview with the applicants. After you have carefully filtered through the applicants on the phone, you should interview the ones that made the cut, in person. It's always a good idea to invite a friend or family member to sit in on the interview to provide a second opinion or sense of security. Always observe interactions between the worker and the person who will be receiving care, after all that is what it is all about.
If you are interviewing a caregiver agency, ask to interview the in-home caregivers yourself. Many agency employees look good on paper, but will not be a good fit for you, for cultural, religious, social, or any number of reasons. You may just not like the person the agency has assigned to you.
Number seven: always check their references. One of the most important things to check in this process are the provided references from each applicant. Be sure you talk to everyone who is given as a reference. If you are looking for someone who is dependable and reliable as well as someone who is qualified to do the work, their references should reflect those qualities.
Eighth on the list: Get a criminal background check. Let's get some things straight, people who are paid by state funds usually must always pass a criminal background check, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't check. Even if someone does not have a conviction for a disqualifying crime (which would be identified through the background check), he or she may have convictions for offenses that would concern you or present a safety risk (using drugs; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; driving without a driver's license or insurance).
If you are hiring an agency, make sure that the agency does criminal background checks. Many states' laws require a background check, but that doesn't mean it has been done.
Number 9: Be sure you hire thoughtfully. We all want to hire a caregiver who has experience in the specific areas in which you need help, so make sure you recognize who that is from the interviews you held. People who have Alzheimer's disease often need help with toileting and bathing, for example, so look for someone who has experience in working with elders with this illness and can complete the needed tasks.
Last but not least, be sure to monitor the caregiver's activities. Set up a schedule to monitor the quality, quantity and effectiveness of the services the caregiver provides. This is especially important for family members, who may not have as much experience as professional caregivers. Do this by making personal contact with the caregiver and regular home visits with the elder, and getting periodic reports from the caregiver or the agency. Watch for signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and report suspicious activity to the agency and state authorities.
If you're worried about the time involved with hiring a caregiver, consider using an independent geriatric care manager to monitor if you are unable to do it yourself.
Nicole Guyton
P.C. Williams Referral Placement Service
313-505-6525
pcwilliamsps.com pcwilliamsps.com
No comments:
Post a Comment