If you're hiring an in-home health care worker without going through an agency, these questions should help you find a reliable match for your loved one. Involve the person you're caring for in the interview process as much as possible. It's his interview, with you asking the questions for him (if he's able to ask them himself, even better). (If you're hiring through an agency, see 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing an In-home Healthcare Worker From an Agency.)
Do you have any work experience in caregiving or similar areas?
Start with a broad question that encompasses more than in-home health work to give you a general sense of the person. Try to identify patterns or trends that show experience in caregiving, companionship, and working with people, even if it isn't specifically with older adults. Look for experience that indicates an ability to work independently, without close supervision.
What specifically makes you qualified for working with my loved one?
Here's where you ask about specific training or courses pertaining to in-home health work. Also ask for details that apply to your loved one's needs, such as experience bathing, feeding, dressing, cooking, cleaning, or lifting from, for example, a wheelchair to a toilet or bed.
Why are you interested in this type of work?
You're looking for someone who enjoys working with the elderly, or a caring, sociable, and nurturing person.
Are you comfortable dealing with my loved one's emotional or mental state?
You'll need to adapt this question depending on your loved one's state of mind, but it can cover such things as anger, silence, sadness, moodiness, and memory problems. (Obviously, you'll probably want to ask this particular question without your loved one present.) Laying this out before hiring someone is a win-win for you and job applicants. You can get a sense of how they'll be with your loved one, and they'll get a sense of interpersonal skills required for the job.
Great refreshers on the questions. Like you Brad, I need to adjust the questions for our needs of a care provider in home.
Great tips. In addition, at customcaretrust.com, there's a workbook you can download and print out that is more geared toward patient/individual specific likes/dislikes, needs, personality, history, etc. You can fill out the responses about the elderly person so that caregivers can easily learn about the person they are caring for from how he or she likes his or her meat cooked, to hobbies and character traits. The book you compile will ensure that the elderly person will be able to keep his or her integrity and voice, and receive the best care possible. It's a great resource for multi-caregiver situations or when you're introducing a new caregiver, and for caregivers as important personal and medical information is at their fingertips. They thought of everything...definitely check it out.
some items I would have neglected.
Talk to a lawyer about employment law. If you or your family member is the only source or major source of income for the individual caregiver you hire, YOU are probably considered their employer and you are legally responsible for withholding taxes (Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare), worker's comp, unemployment insurance, etc., etc., no matter what kind of contract you have with them. The small amount of money you will have to pay a lawyer (I'm not one) will be well worth what it could cost if you don't handle this correctly!
To Youngest Daughter, call the phone company and explain your Mom's Illness. Usually, the phone company will not charge you any longer. Speak only to a supervisor.
If your loved one has Alzheimer's disease, you should definitely ask if the potential caregiver has experience working with people with dementia. It is critical that a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's have experience and know about the disease!
This is very helpful in knowing, as a caregiver, and having a family member with caregiver needs. Thanks!!!
How about asking an individual caregiver for proof of their professional liability insurance and workman's comp insurance so they are covered if they are injuired in the home. Since this is the employers legal responsibility I don't want mom to lose her home because a caregiver became injuried and sued for damages. Caregivers win in court when they are private / individually employeed.
How do I fix the phone so my Mom cannot call the operator? She had over $100 in operator calls in one month.
Liked list of basic questions so I could adapt it to my own preferences.