Forming a tag team
Hiring a Caregiver for In-Home Help: Page 5
If your loved ones need full-time care, you'll need to hire at least two caregivers. Nobody wants to work seven days a week, complications will arise in any aide's schedule, and turnover is really high in this field. Also, if you hire two in-home caregivers, they can trade off and you can protect yourself from being left in the lurch with no help. One way to ensure a smooth handoff is to schedule a half hour of overlap between their shifts so that they can debrief each other on any issues that may have come up during the prior day or shift. If they work on different days, ask them to keep notes in a designated notebook about changes in routine or any concerns.
If you hire the caregiver through an agency, ask about backup provisions for when your aide is sick or on vacation -- or if he or she quits the agency. Does the agency provide an alternate? Is there an extra charge for this service?
