Questions To Ask When Interviewing A Home Caregiver

There are many benefits to hiring an in-home caregiver for your elderly loved one. For starters, having in-home care can save money when compared to the costs of moving into a nursing home. It will also give your loved one the added comfort of being able to stay in a place that's comfortable and familiar. Furthermore, for senior spouses, an in-home caregiver can provide physical assistance while the other spouse can continue to give emotional support. Before you hire an in-home caregiver, however, you'll want to interview a few different candidates, being sure to ask them some important questions.

How Many Different Caregivers Will Be Visiting?

To get started, it's wise to find out just how many different caregivers will be showing up on a regular basis. Will it always be the same person, or will different people be helping your loved one throughout the week? This is an important thing to find out because some seniors do better when they stick to the exact same routine, so having a different caregiver showing up each day could throw them off. Generally, smaller companies will tend to provide your loved one with the same caregiver, whereas larger ones may have multiple caregivers who will be helping your loved one.

What Happens if One Caregiver Cannot Show Up?

Furthermore, you'll want to find out what the company's game plan is in the event of an emergency where the scheduled caregiver cannot show up. More than likely, this will happen at least once, so it's vital that the company has a backup plan in place, such as being able to send over another caregiver right away. A smaller company may not have the staffing to do this, so you and your family members could end up having to take time off of work or out of your busy days to care for your loved one in such situations.

What Specific Services Are Included?

Finally, be sure to find out what exact services will be included. This is especially important if your loved one has medical conditions that require special care, such as Alzheimer's or dementia. In such situations, you'll need to find caregivers who have had specialized training for dealing with seniors suffering from such conditions. Depending on what your loved one needs, you may be looking for a caregiver who can assist with grooming and bathing, running errands, or even just providing some companionship.

Contact experts like ComForcare Home Care - New Orleans for more info.


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