Finding the right Caregiver for your Loved Ones
When our loved ones get older, it’s important to be prepared. Part of that includes finding a reliable caregiver for the future, but where do you begin? When it comes to finding the right caregiver for your loved ones, you want someone who is reliable, trustworthy and has experience in the field. After all, this person will be responsible for helping your aging parent live in their own home with as much independence as possible. If you want to learn more about skilled nursing in Minneapolis MN, reach out to Pinnacle Home Care. To make sure that any potential caregivers have the necessary skills, ask some of the questions below to your local caregiving agency.
How do you recruit and select caregivers?
The first question you should always ask is how the agency selects and recruits caregivers. You want to know that these people are passionate about what they do, and that they are properly trained and certified.
Do you conduct background checks?
If so, what kind? What’s your policy regarding hiring employees with charges or convictions? The best agencies will have a rigorous screening process that includes background checks, driving history reports and reference checks. In addition to offering this information, the caregiver should also be able to tell you about their experience in the field and what types of clients they have served in the past.
Do your caregivers attend orientation and receive ongoing training?
Knowing whether your loved one’s caregiver is receiving continuous training or not can be an excellent deciding factor in who you want caring for your loved one. After we all feel uncertain performing any task without training, but your loved one should be treated with extra preparation and care. If the caregiver is not receiving any training, this might be a red flag. If they do receive orientation and ongoing training, ask them to provide you with proof of this. This will give you peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands.
Do you conduct periodic supervisory visits to evaluate caregiver performance?
This is a great question to ask. If they do perform periodic supervisory visits, this will give you peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands. This also ensures that the caregiver is doing their job correctly and not just going through the motions. This may also be the time to ask if your caregiver agency provides any unusual or unique services. You want your loved one’s care to be special, and catered to them. Finding out that your caregiving agency puts in the extra effort to make your loved one feel special is a good sign that they are doing more than just the bare minimum. You may want to ask what their policy is on keeping in touch with clients and families, and whether or not they have a system for communicating with each other. That way, you can feel more secure if an emergency ever arises.
Can I interview individual caregivers, or do you handle assignments?
While neither option is necessarily bad, it’s important to know how caregivers are assigned before you move forward with an agency. That way, if you have a preference one way or another , you can make sure to ask about it up front. For example, some agencies may assign caregivers based on availability and location while others will let you choose one that you like best. Sometimes, people like trusting the experience of an agency to handle the decision, while others like to have more of a say in who they hire. It’s important to ask about this up front so you can make an informed decision.
How do you match your clients with caregivers?
For the agencies that do select a caregiver for you, it’s important to know why. Some agencies will only match you with caregivers who have been in the system for a long time, while others may look at your specific needs and match you with someone new. Regardless, if you’re looking for someone who will be able to handle all of your needs, it’s best to go with an agency that has a wide variety of caregivers.
The main advice we can offer here is to evaluate the options and select the one that best fits your needs. Finding the right caregiver agency requires a lot of different factors to be taken into account, and it will likely differ from family to family. If you’re lucky and your senior has a strong network of friends and neighbors, or are in contact with family members who can provide support on occasion, the list above may not apply to you. In fact, if you have a strong social network, finding this type of help may simply be a matter of checking in on each other from time to time. But for many seniors, especially those who have lived a full life, additional assistance will likely be needed. When it comes to in-home care, Pinnacle Home Care is here to help you with Skilled Nursing, Companion Care, Home Health Aide, Homemaker Services, and more.
