5 Tips for Hiring a Companion Caregiver
Does your aging loved one need a little extra support to remain independent at home? Is it time for your family to consider hiring a companion caregiver? Senior Home Companions has the top five tips for hiring a caregiver who can offer personalized companionship and non-medical services. If you have an older adult in your life who wishes to age at home, a companion caregiver is the perfect option for them to get the care they need.
1. Evaluate the type of services your family requires
Your first step when hiring a companion caregiver is determining the type of services you and your aging loved one will need, and how often. If you have family members who are able to stop by frequently, then you may only require a companion caregiver to visit a few times a week. If your loved one lives in a different area from family and friends, then daily visits may be more impactful. Senior Home Companions offers flexible caregiver schedules ranging from a few hours a week to 24/7 care.
It is also important to determine what types of tasks the older adult client will require help with. Companionship is often the most common function of a caregiver, but Senior Home Companions in-home caregivers also offer services like personal grooming assistance, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation to appointments and community activities, rehabilitation support and much more.
2. Meet with your potential companion caregiver
Once you’ve determined the type of care you need, you’ll want to meet with potential candidates for your caregiver position. If at all possible, your aging loved one should attend this meeting, as should any family members who will be interacting with the caregiver. Compatible personalities are vital to the caregiving relationship, so this interview is a great opportunity to get to know each other. The leadership team at Senior Home Companions always works hard to match caregivers with clients based on skillset and personality, so that our caregivers can become like a trusted friend — or even family — to your aging loved one.
3. Check testimonials and run background checks
Speaking of skill set, the interview is also your opportunity to learn more about the type of services your potential caregiver can offer. If your aging loved one has mobility concerns, you may want to verify whether a caregiver can help them into a lift, wheelchair or other supports. You can also request references or testimonials from past caregiving jobs to learn more about their capabilities. At Senior Home Companions, our caregivers go through a rigorous hiring process, including a strict background check, and receive ongoing training, so you’ll know that you can expect the best care possible. Many of our caregivers are retirees from teaching, nursing and other caring careers who are looking for meaningful, service opportunities.
4. Continue to evaluate the companion caregiver relationship
Once you’ve hired a companion caregiver, you can continue to evaluate the relationship for the best fit. Working with an organization like Senior Home Companions means that we have a number of caregivers at the ready if something comes up that would normally cancel a regular visit, and we are also able to match a new caregiver to your aging loved one if the situation calls for it. Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to companion caregivers, and our staff are always prepared to support the needs of the older adults in your family.
5. Remember that caregivers are still beneficial in assisted living
Although a majority of our companion caregivers support clients in their homes, Senior Home Companions also offers companionship services to older adults in assisted living, skilled care facility and hospice. While seniors living in these facilities are having their medical needs met by nurses and other staff, our caregivers can provide continued companionship, help with therapies and see to any other non-medical support. Our caregiver network also offers residential memory care via our exclusive Story Cottage homes in Indianapolis and Carmel.
If you are ready to explore a companion caregiver relationship with Senior Home Companions, we’d love to discuss your family’s needs with a complimentary consultation. Contact us today to learn more about our services in Southwest Florida and Central Indiana.