Hiring a Home Health Care Employee Tips

 Providing primary care for an elderly loved one can be difficult. When you can't provide all of your senior care yourself and the support of friends, family, and community organizations isn't enough, hiring a home health care worker can be helpful. It can offer care from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day and can provide many other useful services. Types of home health care services include:

General health management, such as administering medication or other medical treatment

Personal care such as bathing, oral hygiene, dressing and shaving

Nutrition helps such as meal preparation, meal assistance and grocery shopping

Home preparation services including laundry, dishwashing and light housework

Accompany, for example, reading to seniors or their walks

Recruiting and interviewing applicants

There are many ways to hire home health care workers. In general, home health care workers can be hired directly or through an agency. Home health care agencies often have a staff that includes social workers and nurses who will manage your care. While hiring a freelance home health care professional is generally more cost-effective, it also gives you more control over the type of care you receive.

Elderly home care workers should be carefully screened for proper training, qualifications and temperament. When interviewing a potential home health care employee, fully discuss the needs of the senior care recipient. There should be a written copy of the job description and the type of internship you are seeking.

Reference

Have the applicant fill out an employment form that includes the following information:

Full name

Address

Telephone number

Birthdate

Social Security number

Education level

Work history

Before hiring, you should ask to see the home care manager's IDs and certifications, if applicable, and personal identification, including their social security card, driver's license, or photo ID.

References should be thoroughly checked. Prospective employees should provide the employer with the names, dates of employment and telephone numbers of previous employers and how to contact them. It is best to speak directly to previous employers rather than just accepting letters of recommendation. Also, ask the applicant to provide or sign a criminal background check

Special points to consider

Make sure that the person you are considering hiring knows how to perform the tasks that a senior care recipient requires, such as transferring a senior to and from a wheelchair or bed. Training may be available, but make sure the worker successfully completes the training before hiring them.

No one should be hired seven days a week. Even the most dedicated employee will soon burn out. All employees need some time to take care of their personal needs. No worker should be on call 24 hours a day. If the elder care recipient needs frequent supervision or care during the night, a family member or health care provider in the second home should be able to help or fill in.

Housing help may seem more convenient and economical than an hourly or daily employee, but it can have its drawbacks. Food and accommodation costs must be factored into the overall cost of care and it can be difficult to discharge someone without an immediate housing alternative. If you decide to use accommodation in an apartment, the employee should have his own room, free time and enough sleep.