As the U.S. population ages, we see more seniors preferring to remain at home rather than move into assisted living, senior centers, or nursing homes. This is an excellent thing for our economy and society as a whole. Nevertheless, it can also create new challenges when your family member or loved one needs assistance and you looking for someone to care for them at their own home.
Taking care of an elderly parent or grandparent can be stressful and overwhelming. You want them to be able to live comfortably and safely at their residence, but you want to make sure they are properly taken care of and healthy. Unfortunately, the strain of caring for them on your own will take its toll on you as well. If you’re not careful, this stress could lead to burnout and emotional breakdowns. You might need to consider hiring a caregiver to help.
The demand for professional caregivers has increased dramatically over the past few years. However, this means that finding quality caregivers can become increasingly difficult. Hiring a private caregiver from a home health agency may provide a much-needed reprieve from the everyday stress and strain of family caregiving.
Therefore, when you hire a care provider, you need to ensure they have all the necessary skills to provide excellent care for your family members or loved ones while maintaining their health and safety.
If you don’t know where to start, follow the below steps to hiring private caregivers.
Identify the Type of Care
Before you begin searching for a caregiver or hiring privately, you first need to determine what type of care your loved one needs. Start by making a list of the services your loved one requires. Do they require assistance with daily living (ADL)? Are they able to perform household tasks independently? Or do they need help to groom themselves and prepare meals or pay bills?
Once you’ve determined the type of care your loved one requires, you’ll be better equipped to find a qualified caregiver who can meet those requirements. For example, if your loved one needs ADL and can’t perform self-care tasks, you should look for a primary caregiver who provides personal care services such as bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.
On the other hand, if your loved one requires only help around the house and companionship, you should look for household-managing private caregivers who offer services like grocery shopping, running errands, reminding to take medications, helping to fill out forms, going on walks, providing transportation, etc.
If your loved one is suffering from chronic illness or grave injury, you may need to move beyond a private caregiver and look for someone who can provide skilled nursing services like medication management, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. These things would require medical professionals like certified nursing assistants. If the patient needs a lot of help, they might need to be moved to an assisted living home.
Verify Qualifications
After determining the type of care your family member needs, it’s time to focus on the qualifications of potential caregivers. Most states require applicants to complete some form of training in order to qualify as private caregivers. Some states even mandate specific types of training.
For instance, as with home health aides, federal law requires at least 75 hours of training for nursing assistants. Other states may need less training depending on the level of care needed.
The best way to ensure you’re hiring the right private caregiver is to ask questions about their background. For example, inquire about their previous work history. Ideally, you’d prefer to hire someone who has experience providing care for seniors.
The next step is to check out their references. It’s essential to get in touch with people who have worked with the caregiver in the past. Make sure to call each reference to confirm that they were satisfied with the caregiver’s performance.
You can also conduct an online search to see if there are any complaints against the private caregiver. This is especially helpful when looking for a caregiver for a senior relative. Many times, families find out about problems after the fact. By checking online reviews, you can avoid hiring a caregiver that is not up to the task.
At DreamProviders, we understand how stressful it can be to search for a caregiver. That’s why our team works hard to deliver high-quality caregivers at affordable rates. DreamProviders is a licensed home care agency located in San Antonio, TX. Our employees are certified and licensed professionals who have been fully vetted and have passed background checks. Our team of private caregivers provide exceptional in-home care for your elderly loved one. We take great pride in helping families find the right caregiver to fit their needs. Call us today at (210) 908-9998 for a free, no-obligation assessment!
Determine Budget
Budgeting for these expenses is essential if you’re planning to use home health care services. Home caregiver agencies typically charge monthly fees based on the amount of care provided. The cost of an agency caregiver varies widely depending on the type of service is needed. However, the average price for a private aide ranges between $18-$35 per hour.
An agency caregiver can help with essential daily tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, transportation, and medication reminders. They also assist with more complex tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and exercising. DreamProviders will work with you to create a personal care plan that can be adjusted as needed.
Check Insurance Coverage
It’s essential to understand how much coverage your insurance will provide. If you’re planning to pay for the caregiver yourself, then you’ll want to make sure they carry adequate insurance. This protects you, your loved one, and the caregiver in case there are any incidents.
When searching for a privately hired caregiver, make sure to look into their insurance options. You should expect insurance to cover all medical bills related to their caregiving duties. Depending on the state where they live, they might also be covered by workers’ compensation insurance or liability insurance.
Some companies offer additional benefits like accident/illness protection or life insurance. These policies cover the caregiver while they’re providing care for your loved one. Your family members may also need supplemental insurance to protect them financially during this time.
Private pay, private insurance, and Medicaid are all accepted by DreamProviders. Additionally, we obtain coverage for veteran benefits. We will work with your insurance provider to ensure that you get all of the benefits specified in your policy. While most insurance policies will cover this form of professional home health care, it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company directly before committing to services.
Check Experience
Caregivers often work with seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If your loved one suffers from these ailments, it’s essential to choose someone who has experience working with this population.
In addition to experience, you want to make sure that your caregiver has the training necessary to handle the specific needs of your loved one. If your loved one has diabetes, you’ll want to ensure they’ve received the proper training to manage their condition and watch their diet. If they have other sorts of injuries or illnesses, you’ll want to make sure the caregiver references the doctor’s advice on how to properly manage the symptoms and when to call for medical help.
You should also ask about any special certifications or licenses that they hold. For example, some caregivers can help people with disabilities, others specialize in caring for elderly patients, and others focus on those suffering from chronic conditions.
At DreamProviders, our mission is to establish a reputation for recruiting only the best caregivers. We recruit people with prior caregiving experience and possess certifications like Certified Nursing Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, Certified Caregiver, etc. Our team members undergo extensive background checks, looking for things like a history of abuse or financial exploitation, to ensure that we hire qualified individuals you can trust.
How Can DreamProviders Help Your Elderly Family Member?
DreamProviders provides quality private caregivers at affordable rates. We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality care, regardless of income or location. That’s why we’re dedicated to making it easy for families to find reliable caregivers.
Each agency caregiver is a W2 employee, not a contractor. We conduct criminal background checks on all new hires and monitor their performance throughout their employment. This allows us to keep costs down while ensuring that you receive the highest level of service possible.
We also offer flexible scheduling so that you can rest assured knowing that your loved ones are receiving the in-home care they deserve when you are unable to be there. You won’t be stuck waiting around for hours every day because your caregiver isn’t available when you need them. Matching you with the right caregiver is a skill, and we are very good at it.
To learn more about how DreamProviders can benefit you, contact us today!
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a caregiver through DreamProviders?
Many factors affect the price of hiring private caregivers, including the type of position you require (full-time vs. part-time), the number of hours you need to be covered, and whether or not you prefer a live-in or live-out caregiver. Please call us at (210) 908-9998 to talk with a DreamProviders team member.
What makes a good caregiver for the elderly?
A great caregiver will provide companionship, emotional support, and assistance with daily activities. They’ll also be willing to take the initiative and do what it takes to meet your loved one’s needs.
How do I know if my caregiver is trustworthy?
It’s always a good idea to check references before hiring a caregiver. If your caregiver doesn’t give you the names of past clients, then you may want to think twice before giving them your trust. DreamProviders does an extensive background check on anyone we hire, provides training, and monitors our caregiver’s work regularly so you can be sure your loved one is in good hands.
Do you guarantee that my caregiver will work hard?
Yes, we promise that your caregiver will put forth their best effort every day.
Why should I choose DreamProviders over other agencies?
DreamProviders is a specialized home care agency for senior care services and people temporarily or permanently incapacitated. We specialize in providing quality home care services to those who need help with daily living tasks. Our holistic approach to senior care ensures that your loved one receives the most comprehensive care possible.
The owners of DreamProviders always take part in the hiring process. We interview prospective candidates thoroughly and ensure that they are suited for the job. In addition, we conduct thorough background checks to ensure that our clients are safe and healthy.
We pride ourselves on being one of the best non-medical home health agencies in San Antonio, Texas. We understand that hiring private caregivers can be challenging, but we strive to make this experience as comfortable as possible. Call us today at (210) 908-9998.