Many people need a personal carer. Deciding you need a caregiver to help you in your daily life is a big decision, but choosing one to hire is even more significant. Your carer will become an integral part of your life and be privy to your most personal information and habits. You need to hire someone you can trust and feel comfortable around. They may be a live-in carer or make regular visits to help you, but either way, you will spend a lot of time with them. And you don’t want to make the wrong decision.
When choosing a carer, you obviously will want to meet them first and get a sense of who they are and what they are like. But crucially, there are a few questions you should ask yourself that will give you a bit of much-needed clarity to make the right choice.
What type of care do you require?
There are many different ways to arrange personal care. You could go through a care agency that will make all the arrangements for you and find you a carer. This will save you a lot of work in searching for suitable people to do the job. You should still get some say in who your personal carer will be, but depending on the agency, you may have less control over the decision than you would like. If you go down this route, try to find an agency who will tailor all the arrangements to your particular needs and circumstances.
Alternatively, you could take the option of finding a private caregiver. This gives you complete control over the process, but you will have to do a lot more of the work, and it may put you in the position of becoming their employer. Another option is enrolling in CDPAP, which will allow you to choose a specific friend or family member to become your caregiver.
What are your needs?
It would be a good idea to make a list of all the activities and functions your carer will need to help you with. This list might help narrow down your choice of candidates. For example, you might need a carer with a driving license who can transport you around, or someone who can cook nutritious meals. Or you might need someone strong enough to perform tasks involving lifting. Be clear and upfront from the start about your needs.
What is their experience?
You want a carer who has the necessary experience and qualifications to do the job. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their past experience and determine whether their resume is up to the task.
Do you feel good about them?
This is perhaps the most crucial question to ask yourself. A potential caregiver could look fantastic on paper with all the right experience and qualifications. But if you just don’t feel right about them, don’t be afraid to say no and keep looking. You shouldn’t feel pressured to hire someone you’re not sure about, as your comfort is the most important thing. They will understand, and you will be free to continue your search for the right person.
