Dementia Articles
How to Hire a Caregiver?
March 13, 2020 | Caregiver Resources
When caregiving has become too much and you need to seek outside help, there are many factors worth considering in order to make an informed decision about what the best fit will be for you or your loved one. One important tool that can be used if searching for home care services is Medicare.gov Home Health Compare. This tool allows you to search for home health agencies by zip code or name and see what their "star rating" is. Other services can also be compared on this web page such as nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospitals, and much more.
Another useful tool is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This website allows you to search for licensing information. Pertinent types of searches could include adult foster care facilities, home for the aged, and nursing home or long-term hospital care unit licenses. This allows you to ensure that the facility you are interested in is licensed, but can also show complaints and investigations that may have occurred as well.
When looking for help in the home, an individual can choose to hire an agency to provide care, or hire an independent caregiver. Hiring an individual to assist with care who works independently has its pros and cons. Because an independent caregiver does not work with a home health care agency, asking many questions is imperative. Care.com list some important questions that can be used when meeting potential caregivers. Some of these questions include asking if the caregiver is willing to undergo a background check, if they have their own transportation, have experience caregiving in the past, and are willing to complete the specific care tasks that are needed among many other things.
Regardless of what route is taken to find a caregiver, it is very important that your loved one feels comfortable around their caregiver to provide the best experience for everyone and to give the best chance at success. This is true especially if the individual needing care is reluctant to receive help.
To learn more:
15 Question to Ask During a Caregiver Interview
Hiring a Caregiver: Should you Work with an Agency, or Find Your Own?
Medicare: Home Health Compare Tool
LARA Search Tool for Adult Foster Care/Homes for the Aged
LARA Search Tool for Nursing Homes
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