Selecting the right caregiver is a very important decision that someone needs to make. This is because a caregiver plays a significant role in managing the day-to-day activities of an elderly or a child. We all know how sensitive the conditions of a child and the elderly can be. So, it becomes important to consider all the things before selecting a home carer . If you have never hired a caregiver then this blog will help you clear all your doubts and reservations. Okay, so let’s look at some of the things that one needs to look at when hiring a home caregiver.
3 things to look at Home caregivers before hiring.
Write a clear job description
Writing a clear job description is very important for finding candidates who are willing and able to do what is required for your older adult or child. For this, carefully think about the needs of your older adult so you can include all the tasks you’ll expect them to do. It will help you to mentally walk through a full week of care. Creating a detailed and certain job description will also help you figure out how many hours of care are required and how much flexibility is needed, and how much you can pay him/her.
Be flexible about Payments
If you are hiring independently rather than using a renowned agency with non-negotiable rates it is advised to consider being flexible about pay so you have a chance to interview the best candidates. While posting for a job opening, state that the hourly rate is flexible based on experience. This helps in getting responses from candidates who have more experience and that extra experience becomes well worthy at a slightly higher rate. It is also important to pay the going rate in your area. If you offer to pay a lot less than the average rate, the job applicants are not as likely to have the care skills your older adult needs. To get an idea of the hourly rates in your older adult’s area, look at postings for caregiving jobs that are similar to yours to get a sense of the average rates.
Ask Questions and Check References
Asking questions during the interview helps you find the most responsible, trustworthy, and compassionate candidate. Don’t reserve yourself to ask questions about their past experience or ask what they would do in specific situations that often happen with your older adult. However, even if the person you interviewed seemed suitable for the job, it’s still necessary to do background checks and call all of their references. Ask how the person performed on the job, if they would hire that person again, and if they’d recommend the candidate for your job. Since older adults are at greater risk for fraud or abuse, it’s wise to check for a criminal record in all the states where the person has lived or been employed.
