Hiring a quality caregiver to assist an elder loved one can be easier said than done in Florida. While there may be no shortage of paid caregiving services in a given area, finding the right fit is what really matters.
There are many ways to hire a caregiver. One way is to contact a home care agency located near your elder loved one. A simple internet search could lead to any number of options. Let us share several questions to keep in mind during the conversation:
- Is the agency licensed?
- How long has it been in business?
- Are the agency’s workers licensed and insured?
- How does the agency train, supervise, and monitor its workers?
- What is the agency’s reputation?
Make sure to visit the business and meet any prospective caregiving attendants. Ask for information about services, prices, and standard procedures before sitting down to discuss a possible agreement. Be prepared to ask about what is not being freely offered in the meeting.
Ask family, friends or associates who have been in similar situations. What did they do? Would they recommend a specific caregiver, or home care agency? Asking a senior loved one’s primary care doctor, or the staff, for recommendations can also be a great first step, since they would know any health criteria that should be included.
Not all caregivers are the same, and neither are every senior adult’s needs. If an aging adult is healthy but lives far away, he or she might only need help with housekeeping. If an aging senior needs personal care assistance, a candidate would need to be able to provide services related to eating, grooming, using the toilet, and perhaps transportation.
These are three general certifications for home caregivers: an HHA, or home health aide; a CNA, or certified nursing assistant; and an LVN, or licensed vocational nurse. Who you hire is dependent on what your loved one needs. If you are unsure, be sure to talk to his or her doctor. Make sure to always check references, and take the time to conduct a background check. Also, do not wait to ask us your questions when it comes to finding the right care as well as a way to pay for it.