Questions to Ask When Hiring a Caregiver
If you decide on in-home care, there are several questions you should ask to ensure that your loved one will stay safe, healthy and happy:
- What happens if you or your caregiver becomes ill or are otherwise unavailable? What are the alternate arrangements?
- Do you pay your federal and state taxes, Social Security (FICA) and unemployment insurance, so that our family is not legally responsible?
- Can you verify that you and your caregivers are legally able to work in the United States?
- If you or your caregiver are injured at a client's residence, who is responsible? (Many homeowner's insurance policies exclude injuries to "domestic employees.")
- Do you perform criminal background checks and state abuse registry checks? Do you check caregivers' references from prior work history?
- Are you bonded or insured in case one of your clients is injured or there's a theft?
- How do you document that your services were indeed completed?
I was immediately impressed by the warm and friendly atmosphere of the office and by the owner, who was very up-front and real. I felt very at home with her and very at ease. [The caregivers] are not just employees. We are family and a team. We look out for one another, and we look out for the owner as well. She is supportive of our situations and is always there to encourage us to grow in our experience and knowledge.
Angela D.