How to select the right caregiver for your elderlies?

We all want the best for our aging loved ones. The truth is that more than half of seniors over the age of 85 need some form of long-term care — namely, the personal assistance that enables them to perform daily routines such as eating, bathing, and dressing. So how does one make the right choice when looking for in-home care for our elders with special needs?

Luckily InsideElderCare.com provides some great advice when making these tough decisions. Here is what they say:

Before you choose a caregiver, you should determine the range of services you want so that you are making a decision that covers your predetermined needs. Consider the following:

• Make a list of daily activities:
  By reviewing the activities of a typical day of the patient you will be able to determine the specific duties required. It helps to create a timeline of activities so that you plan for meals, naps and regular appointments.
• Assess the degree of specialty:
  If the patient suffers from any degree of dementia or physical disability make sure you look for a caregiver with appropriate knowledge and experience.
• Determine the need for meal preparation: 
  Not only should you make a choice for a caregiver on their ability to prepare meals if necessary, but also their understanding and ability to create diet-specific meal choices.

10 Caregiver Questions

To make the most of your time during the interviewing process, conduct preliminary interviews on the phone rather than starting with in-person appointments. Describe the job in detail along with the required hours needed and wages available. If you feel the applicant may be a good match based on their experience and ability to provide references, then schedule the in-person interview. It is a good idea to have another family member or friend participate in the interview to provide an objective perspective. Finding that great match may be easier with a second opinion.
In preparation for the interview, create a list of questions pertinent to the job description. Ask questions relevant to the caregiver’s experience and expertise surrounding the daily activities list you previously created.

1. Where have you worked before?
2. What were your duties?
3. What type of patient medical limitations have you worked with in the past?
4. What is your experience cooking for other people (including dietary restrictions)?
5. Is there anything in the job description that you are uncomfortable doing?
6. Have you had to deal with a patient emergency in the past?
7. Can you keep track of and administer medications?
8. Would you be able to transfer someone from a wheelchair into a car or into a bed?
9. How do you feel about caring for a disabled person? Or a person with memory problems?
10. Can I contact at least two work-related and one personal reference?

In addition to that great advice we would also recommend these questions:

• Is the caregiver and/or their agency licensed with the State of California?
• Are the services of your agency covered under Liability Insurance?
• Is the caregiver TB- and Drug-tested?
• Has the caregiver been through a thorough background check?

Luckily, Redan Medical Home Health answers YES to all these questions. All our caregivers are extremely well versed in caring for patients with a wide range of needs.

Now that you know what you need to do, take the first step and reach out to us. It will be our pleasure to discuss how we can help bring care and comfort to your family.

“We all want the best for our aging loved ones. The truth is that more than half of seniors over the age of 85 need some form of long-term care — namely, the personal assistance that enables them to perform daily routines such as eating, bathing, and dressing.”