When families have an elderly loved one that requires caregiving services, tough decisions have to be made. Some families don’t have the luxury of being able to be there for their loved one as a primary caregiver, so they have to look at other options. For seniors living at home, you have to find a caregiver or caregiving company you trust 100%, which means you have to ask a lot of questions to build that trust. You can start by searching for caregivers in your area by referring to the Medicare website. Here are the questions you should ask potential caregivers before hiring them.
Do You Have References You Can Share?
The more people you can ask about a particular person or company, the better feel you’ll get for the level of service they provide. You can also relate your specific needs to the needs of the person you were referred to. If the company or caregiver is hesitant to give you contact information for any references, it should be a red flag that they may not be the right primary caregiver for you.
Is Your Company Stable?
The duration of a caregiving company has been in business isn’t necessarily as important as the experience of the employees. On that note, stability starts at the top of any company, so do as much research as possible on them. Ask them if they are bonded and insured so both you, your loved one and the company are protected in case something goes wrong. You want to work with a company that goes the extra mile to ensure everyone involved is safe and protected.
What Are The Requirements For Employees?
It’s not out of line to ask a company what they expect from their employees, what type of background checks they do and more. Full-time employees typically provide better senior care because their own livelihood is at stake. Plus, most of the time a full-time employee will be more dedicated to doing their job correctly since it’s what they have a passion for, rather than just collecting a paycheck. It’s not a deal-breaker if the company just hires contract workers, but full-time employees providing senior care usually works out better.
Will We Have To Sign A Contract?
You shouldn’t have to sign a contract for a primary caregiver. The needs of your loved one can change rapidly, so being stuck in a contract can be a significant financial burden you don’t want to find yourself in. If the company makes you sign a contract, it may be ideal to consider other options.
How Flexible Are Your Senior Care Services?
Flexibility is required for seniors living at home. Different situations may arise that create unexpected needs, so you need to feel confident the company you hire will be able to adapt. When you talk to the potential primary caregiver, be sure to gauge their reaction to this question since it can tell you a lot about how they feel about the fluid nature of senior care.
Selecting a primary caregiver is a major decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and these questions can provide a good starting point. Next Day Access is here to make living at home easier for seniors, so contact us today to see how we can assist.