As people grow older, they most often reach a point
when they can no longer completely care for themselves. Initially,
their family may be able to provide the necessary care to maintain
a good quality of life for them. Eventually, the family role as
caregiver may become a difficult and burdensome task due to the
pressures and responsibilities of their individual lives or the
amount of care required. If the elderly person still desires to
remain at home and is able to do so, hiring a caregiver provides
the best solution.
How does one go about hiring a caregiver either privately or through
an Agency?
In many instances, networking among relatives or friends may provide
a candidate. Also, advertising for a caregiver may be an effective
method. For either of these cases, the individual must assume
the responsibility of managing the entire hiring process from
making the initial phone contact, conducting a comprehensive interview,
doing basic background checks, as well as managing the case through
to the end of the job.
Use of an Agency licensed to provide caregivers places the responsibility
of performing all the tasks required prior to hiring squarely
with the Agency and provides the resource for management of the
case from start to finish. People who choose to hire their own
must be willing to expend the effort, time, and expense to follow
the same process as the Agency in order to provide the right caregiver
for the particular needs of the case. The Agency takes a detailed
job order which documents the requirements of the job and identifies
a caregiver with the proper qualifications to satisfactorily perform
the job. The Agency also provides all the background information
to the client and sets up an interview in a timely manner if necessary.
Individuals hiring on their own must obtain all the information
necessary to determine without professional input whether or not
to hire. In the initial telephone conversation, the caregiver
should be asked for a brief description of their experience including
whether they have worked with people with the same or similar
needs as the person requiring care. Also, ask for a list of their
accreditations or certifications if any, and other questions the
individual may deem necessary to determine whether they want to
proceed to the next step - a face-to-face interview. Don't delay
to set the date for the interview. Caregivers often have several
opportunities for employment, so don't hesitate.
With an Agency, the interview process is often not necessary since
the Agency has already interviewed the caregiver and usually guarantees
their placements and will quickly replace caregivers if their
performance is not satisfactory. Remember, some people interview
well, some do not. With caregivers, their performance on the job
is really what counts! You have hired the Agency to find help.
Their initial judgement concerning the caregiver they select is
usually correct. If not, they provide a replacement.
The interview process for individuals hiring on their own needs
to be more structured and comprehensive than an interview requested
with an Agency candidate.
In either case, conduct the interview at the job site, if possible.
The Agency has introduced the caregiver to the client prior to
an interview and has discussed their qualifications and presented
the client with a report on their references. The main purpose
of this type of interview would be to meet the candidate and satisfy
oneself that the candidate understands the requirements of the
job. As indicated above, individuals hiring on their own must
obtain all the information necessary to make the hiring decision
by means of the interview and subsequent checking of references.
Individuals may also wish to incur the expense of conducting a
criminal background check and a driver record check, if applicable.
Finally, if all your background checks are positive and your feelings
regarding the candidate are positive, you are ready to hire.
If you have hired an Agency, the process is less demanding on
your time. As stated above, you may choose to forego an interview
depending on the particular Agency's guarantee and replacement
policy and your confidence in the Agency. Remember, the Agency
has already checked references and qualifications. In addition,
the Agency, upon your request, should perform criminal background
and drivers checks usually at no cost to the client.
When you hire an Agency, find out all you can about the Agency.
Some questions you may ask:
- Are they licensed and bonded by the state?
- What is their fee structure?
- Do they offer criminal and drivers checks as
part of their service?
- Do they check references?
- What does their guarantee include?
- Will they provide service after the placement
has been made?
Of course, one should ask for any other information
they feel is important. The ability of an Agency to reach out
to many candidates to locate the best person for the job provides
a great advantage over an individual searching on their own. The
knowledge that an Agency can quickly provide a replacement if
necessary and maintain control of the case gives the person seeking
care and their family a feeling of security and minimizes the
disruptions that might occur when someone hires a caregiver on
their own.
Initially, an individual may attempt to hire a caregiver on his
or her own. Beware of the many risks and pitfalls and the time
and the effort it will take to result in a successful placement.
If you are not able to make the commitment required, hire the
professional! It's what they do well.
