CHECKING OUT RESPITE PROVIDERS
Learn to check references...and so much more!
BY:FRAN SILVERMAN
Once you've contacted a facility or private aide, how do you find out if the person you're considering hiring is qualified and trustworthy? First and foremost, says Suzanne Mintz of the National Family Caregivers Association, check references.
Facilities
If you are considering a daycare or overnight facility, ask for a list of other caregivers whose loved ones have stayed there and call those people to find out about their experience. Check with your state health department, attorney general's office, consumer protection department and local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints or actions against the facility. And see if the local newspaper's archives (many are available online at the newspaper's website) have any articles written about the facility.
Also check out the following:
Has the facility worked with patients with the same illness or needs of your loved one? And how many patients have they cared for with similar problems?
How long have they been in business?
What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
In-Home
When hiring an in-home caregiver, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate the person's background and training. According to a new report by The Caregiving Project for Older Americans, the majority of Americans who hire in-home caregivers for their older adults believe the hired caregiver has formal training. But there are no national standards or requirements for professional in-home caregivers. If you are hiring an in-home aide, either from a private agency or a private contractor not associated with a specific agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other experts suggest asking these questions:
Are you insured/bonded?
What is the person's past experience in providing respite?
What is the person's training and background?
Where was the person trained?
Does the person have references?
Will there be any language barriers that could impede communication?
What specific skills does the person have that will help with this job?
Has the person ever worked with someone with your loved one's medical condition?
How would the person handle specific situations regarding your loved one's needs or emergency issues (identifying those relevant to your loved one)?
When is the person available and is there backup assistance, if necessary?
Who is the person's direct supervisor and can you contact that person?
Why does the person want this position?
How does the person stay current on healthcare and medical procedures?
Donna Schempp, program director for the Family Caregiver Alliance, suggests that when hiring a personal in-home health aide on your own (rather than through an agency), you should request fingerprints and ask the local police department to run a check on the person. This is a service they provide for a fee.
Schempp says not to be discouraged if the first or second person you hire doesn't work out. "You may have to go through several people,'' she notes, "but it's worth hanging in there. Once you find the right person, she's worth her weight in gold."