Caregiving can be an extremely challenging job, so it’s no wonder that many people opt to hire private caregivers to help with the constant supervision and assistance with everyday activities that your loved one needs to remain active. The housekeeping routines and standard errands that accompany day-to-day life can become overwhelming to those that lack the support of a professional caregiver.
Private caregivers offer additional support, allowing the family a break from many of the hardships full-time caretaking produces. However, bringing in a private caregiver presents its own set of questions and can be scary or confusing for those who are new to the process.
Here are a few things you need to consider to when hiring a private caregiver:
1. Determine your needs and preferences
The first step to finding the right caregiver is assessing your home care needs and preferences. Home care can take a variety of forms – personal care, household care, health care, and emotional care. Deciding where you need help will aid you in getting the kind of caregiver you need. Are you looking for assistance with personal care like bathing, eating, and toileting or do you need someone with household care skills like cooking, cleaning, and laundry? Furthermore, what preferences does your loved one have regarding the gender, cultural background, and age of the caregiver?
2. Know your financial obligations
Once you’ve accessed your needs and preference, take the time to familiarize yourself with your budget and financial obligations. Hiring a private caregiver versus one from an agency often means you’re responsible for handling tax related issues as well as benefits. You have the option of bringing in a private caregiver as a full employee or a contractor. Each designation comes with its own set of financial and tax obligations. Be sure you’re clear on what’s expected of you before hiring help.
3. Know what your prospective caregiver brings to the table
While you don’t have to hold face-to-face interviews with every person who applies for the job, you should always screen the individuals under consideration. Make sure to offer a clear description of the job, discuss expectations from both sides (the applicant and the hirer), and include questions that give you a peek into how well the caregiver is likely to fit in within your home environment. Be sure to inquire about special skills, standard work hours, holiday coverage, and anything else you believe to be important. While most agencies screen their employees to assure you’re getting a highly qualified individual, when hiring a private caregiver this responsibility falls to you.
Keeping these few simple things in mind will help you find a responsible private caregiver. If the process still seems daunting and confusing, check out Abigael’s easy-to-understand guide, The Art of Finding the Right Caregiver. Her e-book guides readers through the entire process of hiring quality help, from determining their needs and priorities to attracting, vetting and selecting caregiver candidates. She also includes helpful questions to ask during interviews and screening, sample documents to use and much more. Abigael lays out the entire process for you, all you have to do is follow the steps!
