ARTICLES / General / Shopping
for the Right... /
Other ArticlesBy Eileen Beal, MA
“And,” adds Roberts, “if you aren’t happy
with the person, all you do is call the agency
and say, ‘This isn’t working.’”
Hiring on your own means asking people you trust
for word-of-mouth referrals and/or posting help
wanted ads. Increasingly, you can do that at
on-line sites like the PHI National’s Matching
Services Project
phinational.org/policy/resources/phi-matching-services-project).
And you’ll also be doing the screening,
interviewing, supervision, scheduling and paperwork.
But, there’s an upside, too. “It’s usually
easier to partner with the person who’ll be coming
in, and you will usually be paying less, too,” says
Adams.
Do a thorough interview
If you decide to go through an agency, use the
questions at the Eldercare Locator (eldercare.gov)
to screen and vet the agency. Then, use the
following questions to interview the candidates they
suggest and/or you find on your own:
Can you provide me with your full name,
address, phone number, current photo ID and
Social Security number so that I can run a
background – including credit – check? (If
you’re interviewing an agency candidate, request
contact information only.)
Can you (your agency) provide me with copies
of current documentation related to personal
insurance, bonding, workers compensation, and
your current health status (TB test,
immunizations, etc.)?
Can you (your agency) provide me with
current documentation related to specific
services (dementia care, CPR, etc.) you are
trained/certified to provide?
Can you (your agency) provide me with
references related to past clients and
employers.
How long have you been providing care?
Why did you leave your last position?
What are your expectations if I hire you?
What hours and days will you be available?
What hourly rate do you expect, and how do
you expect to be paid?
How do you like to get feed-back and
suggestions?
What do you like and dislike about home
care?
You should also ask situation-specific questions,
such as: Since my mother is Jewish, can you prepare
kosher foods? Since my father doesn’t speak
English well, what’s your competency in (fill in the
blank)? Since we get a lot of snow here, how
reliable is your car?
