Once you’ve decided that you need help, and your mother has agreed, how do you find the best caregiver? Aides are a unique breed. Not only do they need training and experience but they also possess qualities that enable them to compassionately perform their job and meet a client’s needs. There are many options in hiring help at home. Many hire privately, that is, pay out-of-pocket for help on an “as-needed” basis. We hear stories from aides and families about people hiring privately about:
- Aides who want cash under the table. It could be because they are working illegally in the U.S., have a criminal record, are working under an alias or are hiding income from Unemployment or the I.R.S.
- Aides who to take over the client’s life until the client relies on them utterly and completely. We’ve seen adult children try to negotiate with caregivers who are in control of their parent. It’s a terrible situation.
As the owner of a licensed homecare agency, I come down on the side of hiring through a reputable agency because we are “experts” at finding aides. Our extensive screening process helps us select the “gold nuggets” from our many applicants.
What do we look for in a caregiver?
1. A cheerful, positive, mentally-stable person. No one wants an argumentative nervous personality.
2. Good work history and wide range of experience. Has worked with a wide range of elders, has experience with Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases AND gets rave reviews when we talk to former clients.
3. Communicates effectively and speaks English. Must be able to communicate on the phone, in writing and in-person so the family, other care team members and our supervisors know what’s going on in the home.
4. Goes above and beyond all their duties. Someone who is self-directed, is ready to go the extra mile and is always there to help solve problems before they happen.
5. Trustworthy. Passes a national, state and county criminal background check, drug test and our caregiver quality assessment that evaluates caregivers for dependability, integrity and hostility.
6. Attentiveness to client’s right to dignity and respect. It’s the client’s agenda, not the aide’s agenda; must be highly sensitive to non-verbal communication and be an active listener. Must be able to “hear” the client’s needs to effectively support them.
7. Team player. We seek quiet competence not know-it-alls. Care team members who find goodness in others will find and nurture the goodness in their clients.
8. Maintains personal boundaries. Sensitive to personal & family dynamics and maintains professional boundaries. What goes on in your home stays in your home!
9. Is confident about her ability to provide exceptional care. Someone who knows she gives good care in a range of circumstances– “It’s what she does” – and she wants to work with other quality caregivers like herself.
Aides who don’t meet these criteria don’t get through our screening.
Home care counselors at A WAY TO STAY Home Care are available to talk with you about your needs. A WAY TO STAY is a home care agency providing In-Home Care in Yardley.
