Ask Denise: How Do I Hire Home Care Workers?

Dear Denise,

I’ve hired a few women (recommended by friends) to help care for my mother-in-law, who lives with us. My mother-in-law’s care needs are intensifying, so I’m thinking of hiring home care workers through an agency. Any suggestions?

One the women I’ve hired is loving and trustworthy, but spends a lot of time on her cell phone. I’m worried she’s not providing the care that’s needed and her constant chatter drives me nuts. Any recommendations?

Hi,

Great questions!

We did a two talk shows on finding home health aides; you can listen here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Caregiving/2008/12/02/Finding-Quality-Home-on-Your-Caregiving-Journey

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Caregiving/2009/01/29/Finding-Quality-Caregivers-on-Your-Caregiving-Journey

And, National Association for Home Care has information on hiring home health aides:
http://nahc.org/consumer/home.html

My suggestion would be to contact your mother-in-law’s physician and ask for a referral to a home care agency. Medicare does have short-term benefits for home care coverage and it’s worth it to ask if you mother-in-law can be evaluated to see if she qualifies. The physician must order the service, though, in order for her to be evaluated.

As for the sitter: Be clear as to your expectation as to how much time she can spend on her cell phone. I would also suggest creating a job description, which details her responsibilities and your expectations. Here’s an article that can help you create a job description: http://www.caregiving.com/2009/01/how-much-do-we-pay-our-sister/

Let me know how it goes…

One Response to “Ask Denise: How Do I Hire Home Care Workers?”

1. William Ward says:

   January 8, 2010 at 10:36 am

   During the years I have been caring for my Father, we have gone through a large number of homecare workers and agencies. Through this, I have learned the prctice I use today.
   I have a list of questions that I ask whenever a new worker comes to us. I conduct our first meeting like a job interview. I make sure I am clear on all the rules, especially #1:
   “When you come to give my Father care, you come with your head on. I don’t care about problems or challenges. You either come to give my Father what he needs, or don’t bother coming at all.”
   My second rule is equally important: “when it comes to my Father, you do not get to make mistakes.”
   These may seem harsh, but I have learned that home care workers, even when provided by an agency, often times are a solution to a time slot but fall short when it comes to the level of care we expect for our loved ones.

   Reply