Nowadays, many seniors are fortunate enough to live comfortably and independently well into their golden years. However, your senior loved ones may eventually reach a point when they can use some help at home. 

 

It is also

possible that your senior loved one will experience gradual changes that can hinder them from handling their daily responsibilities with ease. Fortunately, this is where hiring a professional in-home caregiver can come in handy.

 

However, hiring an in-home caregiver is often easier said than done. Hiring the right person can also get incredibly challenging if you have not done it before. To help you find the best person for the job, keep the following tips in mind:

Craft a clear job description

 

Writing a clear job description is crucial if you want to find someone who can virtually attend to your loved ones’ unique needs. To do this, start by listing down all the needs of your elderly loved one. 

 

To ensure you can cover everything, think about what a full week of caring for your loved one would require. Covering all the bases can help you determine the number of hours needed, the flexibility required, and the approximate pay.

Be fair and flexible about pay when you are hiring independently

 

If you’ll hire independently as opposed to using an agency, it is recommended that you are flexible with the payment so you will get the opportunity to interview great candidates. In the job posting, it is also advisable that you indicate that the hourly rate is flexible depending on experience.

 

It is also vital that you are aware of the going rate in your area. If you offer less than the average rate, you can end up with someone that does not have the skills your senior loved one needs. To get an idea of the hourly rates in your area, search for caregiving job posts to get an idea of the rates. 

 

Conduct multiple interviews

 

Interviewing a prospect only once is not enough if you would like to get more information about them. Ideally, it would be best if you interviewed your prospects at least thrice. 

 

• First interview: a brief screening interview through the phone to ensure they meet the necessary requirements. 
• Second interview: an in-person interview to meet candidates who passed the initial exam.
• Third interview: an in-person interview where the top 2 candidates meet your senior loved one.

 

It is important to remember that an interview is one thing but seeing them in person is another thing entirely. It is also recommended that once you pick a great candidate, you arrange a trial period first before hiring them permanently. 

 

The trial period allows you to observe how well the patient and the caregiver get along and how they handle the tasks. The trial period can also give the caregiver an idea if the job meets their expectations.

Ask plenty of questions during the interview

 

Asking many questions during the interview can help you find someone compassionate, responsible, and trustworthy. Also, don’t shy away from asking questions about their past experiences or what they would do in certain situations.

 

For instance, if your senior loved one has incontinence or dementia, ask what they’d do if the patient they are caring for refuses their attempts to get cleaned up. It would also be ideal to ask what they would do if your loved ones refuse their medications. 

Create an employment contract

 

Creating an employment contract is a crucial part of hiring an in-home caregiver. Fortunately, a contract does not have to be complicated. The purpose of the contract is to lay out the details you have discussed clearly.

 

The employment contract should also clearly indicate the job expectations and your agreement to the terms you have agreed upon.

 

Ensure you also include the following:

 

• Schedule
• Hours
• Detailed job description
• Pay periods
• Pay rate
• Anything else you have agreed upon during the interview process

The Peerless Benefits of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

Comfort

 

One of the main benefits of having an in-home caregiver is your senior loved one can remain in a place they are familiar with and comfortable in. They can use their own bathrooms, sleep in their own beds, and carry on with their daily routines. After all, staying in familiar surroundings can be very beneficial, especially for those who are suffering from progressive conditions affecting the memory such as dementia.

Personalized Care

 

Rather than adjusting to the routines and schedules in a care facility, having an in-home caregiver is always more advantageous as they can attend to your loved ones’ unique needs. Regardless if your senior loved one only needs assistance for a few hours or if they require full-time care, an in-home caregiver can offer the flexibility you require.

One-on-One Attention

 

The personal nature of home care makes your loved one the main focus of the caregiver. Since they only attend to one person, your chosen caregiver can provide the care and attention your loved one needs, so they feel comfortable and safe.

Independence

 

Loss of independence is one of the biggest concerns for seniors. With an in-home caregiver, your elderly loved one can control aspects of their daily life and get to adhere to their own schedule. For those who can no longer drive, a caregiver can help get them to their appointments and errands while still allowing them to live independently.

Conclusion

 

Finding an in-home caregiver for your elderly loved one can be tricky. Hopefully, the tips shared in this article can help get your search efforts off to a great start.

 

About the Author

Sarah Keller is the Content Marketing Strategist of A To Z Home Care, a team of professional home care providers based in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in long-term care for your loved ones. She enjoys riding horses and camping with her friends and family in her spare time.