Be careful who “cares” for your loved one.

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A 10-Point Checklist for Hiring a Safe In-Home Caregiver

“Keep me at home as long as you can!” This is the heartfelt plea of most seniors, and it’s a goal that families strive to honor. With the baby boomer generation aging, the need for in-home care is exploding. While hiring a caregiver can be the key to a loved one’s independence, it also comes with significant risks. Choosing the wrong person or agency can lead to neglect, financial exploitation, or worse.

According to experts like Kevin Corrigan of Caring Senior Service, a thorough vetting process is not just recommended; it is essential. Here is a 10-point checklist to guide you in selecting a safe and competent in-home care provider.

Part 1: The Caregiver’s Background and Character

  1. Experience Level: Inexperienced caregivers can be dangerous. Insist on an agency that requires at least five years of verifiable elder care experience, well beyond the state minimum.
  2. Thorough Reference Checks: A few work references are not enough. A reputable agency should check at least six references, including both professional and personal contacts, to get a complete picture of the applicant’s character and reliability.
  3. Nationwide Criminal Background Checks: Local or statewide checks are insufficient. Demand an agency that performs nationwide background checks at the time of hiring and repeats them frequently.
  4. Comprehensive Drug Testing: The presence of illegal drugs or the potential for prescription medication theft is a serious risk. The agency must conduct urine drug testing at hiring and implement a random drug testing policy for all employees.

Part 2: The Agency’s Professionalism and Process

  1. In-Person Interviews and Skills Assessment: A resume is not enough. Ensure the agency conducts a thorough, face-to-face interview and a hands-on skills assessment performed by a qualified professional, like a registered nurse.
  2. A Formal “Caregiver Orientation”: The first time a caregiver enters your loved one’s home should not be on their first day of work alone. A manager should personally introduce them to the client, review the care plan, and orient them to the home environment.
  3. Regular Supervision: Good agencies conduct regular, unannounced supervisory visits to the home to ensure the quality of care and maintain a safe environment. They should also seek frequent feedback from the senior and their family.
  4. Continuing Education: The best caregivers are always learning. The agency should provide and require ongoing skills training, administered by an RN, to keep their team up-to-date on the latest methods and procedures.

Part 3: The Plan for Care

  1. Daily Progress Notes: There must be a system for documenting daily care activities and any unusual occurrences. This written record is essential for communication between caregivers, the agency, and the family.
  2. A Written, Professional Care Plan: A detailed, written care plan, approved and signed by a medical professional, must be available in the home at all times. This document outlines the client’s needs and the caregiver’s specific responsibilities.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is cared for properly. Once you have found the right caregiver, the next question is how to pay for their services. If your loved one is a wartime veteran, financial assistance may be available through the VA Pension benefit. This is a critical component of a comprehensive plan for long-term care.

Call our office at (919) 256-7000 to schedule a consultation.