Choosing the perfect homecare for the elderly services for your aging loved one can be a tough task. To help you with how to find a caregiver for the elderly, we have put together some of the most important questions you should ask before settling on the right caregiver agency. We also discuss why an agency that provides a caregiver service is an excellent option.
Choosing a Caregiver Agency
When you decide it is time to find a caregiver in your area for your older relative, hiring a professional caregiver service means you will have a lot less to worry about. An agency will manage:
- Background checks – agencies always conduct stringent checks on their caregivers.
- Schedule management – agencies manage your loved one’s scheduling, such as finding replacements when the regular caregiver is unavailable for a shift.
- Caregiver injuries – an agency provides worker’s compensation insurance for their staff, which provides cover should the caregiver be injured on the job.
- Taxes – agencies pay employment taxes so you don’t have to worry about it.
How to Find a Caregiver for the Elderly – Asking the Right Questions
It is a good idea to ask the caregiver service a few questions to make sure the agency is the right fit for you and your relative. Below is a checklist you can use to help you choose the right homecare for the elderly services.
- How long has the caregiver agency been in business?
- Does the agency have the necessary licenses?
- When trying to find a caregiver in your area, does the agency offer literature explaining their fees, services, funding sources, and eligibility requirements?
- How does the agency choose and train their caregivers? Is there ongoing training?
- What range of services do they provide?
- What will the insurance cover and what will you, the client, need to pay?
- Can you talk to the agency’s references or at least view testimonials?
- If your relative has a specific requirement, such as occupational therapy, can the agency provide that service?
- Will you and your family, as well as your relative, be involved in developing a care plan?
- Will you be allowed to be involved in making any necessary changes to the care plan?
- Does the agency have any benefits packages and personnel policies?
- Will your loved one’s treatment be properly documented with all tasks carried out by the caregiver carefully detailed?
- How does the agency deal with and resolve any issues that may arise? This will help ensure that the caregiver service is being properly carried out and that your relative’s changing needs are adequately responded to.
- How does the agency manage its finances, or what are their financial procedures?
- Do you need therapists or nurses to evaluate your aging relative’s home care needs? If you do, will the caregiver consult with your loved one’s family members and doctors? Everyone involved in the care of your relative must communicate properly. For instance, if a physician prescribes physical therapy, the caregiver should work alongside the physician to further this goal.
- Should an emergency arise, what procedures does the caregiver agency have in place?
- Does the agency have supervisors who are assigned to oversee the quality of care that your loved one receives at home? If they do, how often will the supervisors visit your relative?
- Are the caregivers available 24/7? Not all caregiver agencies are available all the time, but they should be able to guarantee replacement coverage if the assigned caregiver is not able to attend to your loved one.
What’s Best for Your Relative?
When it comes to how to find a caregiver for the elderly, only you, your relative, and your family can decide what is best. By asking the above questions, you should be able to adequately decide whether or not a caregiver agency can meet you and your elderly relative’s needs. After all, the decision to keep your loved one at home, where they are most comfortable, is one that is fraught with emotions. Having a reliable and professional caregiver will make life less stressful for all of you.
