The need for a caregiver can occur rapidly and without much warning, but that should not rush your decision. Hiring a caregiver requires careful consideration because the caregiver will be spending extensive time with your loved one and perhaps your family. Having the right caregiver is critical in making sure you feel comfortable and confident in the care your loved one will receive. Here are some tips from a Tampa elder law attorney to ensure you select the right caregiver.
Determine the Services You Will Need
The first step in choosing a caregiver is determining what duties you will need the caregiver to perform. To do this, you should make a list of activities that need to be performed daily for your loved one, such as healthcare, personal care, and even household care. For example, the caregiver may need to perform physical therapy daily, but not every caregiver can do that.
When you’re hiring, in addition to needing to know the activities you will need the caregiver to perform, you will want to list them in the contract you enter into with the caregiver. Listing the expected requirements of the job creates expectations for both the caregiver and the employer.
Review Different Caregiver’s Credentials, Licensing, and Experience
Some states do not require all caregivers to have credentials, and sometimes people will claim to be a caregiver, but they do not have the required licensing. As a result, you will want to check the caregiver’s background, licensure, and credentials when considering whether they can perform the tasks you will need them to perform. You will also want to perform a background check to ensure no red flags exist.
Interview Caregivers
You shouldn’t hire someone you haven’t interviewed just because they look good on paper. You may find that, during an interview, it is clear their personality will not be a good fit for your family. You should also ask for background information. You should determine whether the caregiver will get along with your family and whether others have found them trustworthy. The caregiver will be spending substantial time in your home and around your family, so doing your due diligence is wise.
Ask for References
People always put their best foot forward during the hiring process, so to get a good idea of how they work, you will want to ask for and call the caregiver’s references. It is important to ask about how the caregiver performed and confirm their length of employment because if they lied about that, they aren’t honest and are likely not a good fit.
Consider a Trial Run
You can ask the caregiver to do a trial run so that you can ensure that the working arrangement is a good fit for you and them. In addition, a trial run will give you a better idea of how they will perform their tasks and whether they perform their duties well and get along with everyone around them.
Contact our Tampa Elder Law Attorneys Today
Selecting the correct caregiver can be difficult and time-consuming, but it shouldn’t be rushed, even if you are in a time crunch. Contact our Tampa elder law attorneys at (813) 438-8503. We can provide information and resources to help you select the right caregiver for you and your family.
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