10 Questions to Ask a Caregiver Agency When Seeking Help
Finding an in-home caregiver agency can seem like a daunting task. You are most likely considering hiring an in-home caregiver because a loved one needs a little extra help carrying out day-to-day tasks at home.
Trusting someone to come into your loved one’s home is not easy, so you’ll want to make sure you ask all the right questions before making a hiring decision. Read on for ten helpful questions to ask an in-home caregiver agency and individual caregiver when seeking help.
5 Questions to Ask a Caregiver Agency
When you’re considering hiring a caregiver through an agency, you’ll want to get to know the agency and the individual caregiver. The agency is in charge of billing, onboarding caregivers, and many other aspects of the relationship. Here are five important questions to ask a caregiver agency.
- What Types of Services Does the Company Provide?
- How Are the Caregivers Selected and Trained?
- How Are Caregivers Assigned?
- What Happens If You Want to Change Caregivers?
- What Is the Price Range for Home Care Services?
What Types of Services Does the Company Provide?
Every caregiver agency is different, and some of them provide more comprehensive services than others. If your loved one simply needs help with cooking and taking out the trash, that is much different from needing help bathing or taking medications.
Ask the agency specifically about the services they offer to be sure your loved one gets the help they need.
How Are the Caregivers Selected and Trained?
Ask the agency about their training and hiring practices. You’ll want to make sure caregivers are properly screened and given background checks. Caregivers should also know what to do in an emergency and be able to administer CPR.
How Are Caregivers Assigned?
When you’re considering questions to ask about caregivers, an important issue is how they are assigned. Some agencies assign caregivers solely on availability, while others take more care and consider things like years of experience and common interests.
What Happens If You Want to Change Caregivers?
Unfortunately, not all caregivers are a good match for those they serve. Sometimes schedules don’t align, personalities don’t match, or a number of other factors may contribute to wanting to change caregivers. You should be clear about the agency’s policy when considering a switch.
What Is the Price Range for Home Care Services?
You’ll quickly find there is a broad range of pricing models for caregiver services. Most agencies are transparent with their price ranges and can help you decide on a level of care that works for your family.
These are just a few example questions to ask a caregiver agency. You should feel comfortable asking any questions before making a decision.
5 Questions to Ask About Caregivers
Knowing the right questions to ask when interviewing a caregiver for an elderly loved one is just as important as asking the right questions to the agency. The interviewing period is a chance for you to get to know the caregiver and determine whether they are a good fit for your loved one.
Here are five questions to ask about caregivers.
- What made them pursue caregiving as a profession?
- What are their hobbies and interests?
- What are their communication policies?
- What are their specializations and experience levels?
- How do they deal with stressful situations?
What made them pursue caregiving as a profession?
Asking what motivated a caregiver to pursue caregiving as a profession can be a telling question. The answer to this question can give you important insight into their motivations and passions.
What are their hobbies and interests?
When the caregiver’s hobbies and interests align with your loved one’s hobbies and interests, that can go a long way in making a good match. The bond between a caregiver and your loved one is important, and shared interests can help form and keep that bond.
What are their communication policies?
When trusting a caregiver to care for your loved one, you need to know what type of communication you can expect from them.
Are they available for phone calls, texts, and emails with your loved one? Will they communicate directly with you or other family members? All of these are critical questions to ask when interviewing a caregiver for elderly care.
What are their specializations and experience levels?
Many caregivers specialize in certain types of care, such as memory care or physical therapy. If your loved one has particular needs, you should try to align with a caregiver who specializes in that area.
How do they deal with stressful situations?
While you hope an emergency never happens to your loved one, you need to be prepared. If your loved one experiences a medical emergency or mental health crisis, you want to make sure the caregiver is equipped to handle the situation with care.
There Are No Right or Wrong Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Caregiver for Elderly Care
While the questions outlined above are important factors to consider, it is up to you to decide who to hire to care for your loved one. You should feel free to ask any questions that will make you comfortable selecting an agency and a specific caregiver.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
