Help keep your parent safe
Every caregiver needs extra help. If family or friends aren’t available to provide the additional support you need, hiring a professional may be an option to consider.
Whether you want to have a home health aide or non-medical helper come to your house a few hours a day, or are looking at short-term or long-term nursing home facilities, finding someone you trust to care for your parent is essential. By conducting a background check and talking with references, you can help ensure you’re hiring a trustworthy, responsible caregiver.
Care outside the home
Licensed nursing homes and care facilities are inspected by the state and rated in a number of areas, including cleanliness and safety-related incidents. You can check the history of a potential residential facility by contacting your state department of health and human services.
Care inside the home
When hiring a caregiver to work in your home, you have two options: working with a reputable home-care agency or hiring an individual directly.
A caregiver hired through an agency may cost more, but those costs usually include services such as confirming licenses / certifications and background checks (ask to be sure). Choosing to work through an agency means you have more time to focus on your role as a family caregiver, rather than serving as a caregiver and employer.
If you do choose to hire an individual directly, here are a few tips to help you select a qualified person:
- Get key information, including full name, birth date, address, phone number and Social Security number.
- Request a complete resume, including a list of licenses and certifications. Then, contact the licensing / certifying bodies to confirm everything is correct and current.
- Ask for three references, two of which should be from former employers, and talk to each one.
- Use an online search site to verify the information you’ve received and check criminal history. These sites do have fees, which can range from $10 to $100 per search.