You may have plenty of your own questions to run by potential caregivers that pertain to your own needs, circumstances, and personality. The lists below include suggestions from CURE and a variety of professional and non-profit sources.
If you are hiring a caregiver for a family member or friend, consider involving that person in the hiring process as much as possible. And it’s always a good idea to check the reputation of a company through the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
If you’re hiring through an agency:>Can the agency handle unexpected schedule changes or emergencies?
>Can the agency support the need for more than one caregiver, if a client needs more than 40 hours a week of assistance?
>How do you ensure that your caregivers are providing quality care?
>What do you charge?
>What proportion of the money I spend will go to my caregiver versus your agency?
>What benefits do you provide your caregivers? Worker’s compensation? Holidays?
For hiring independent caregivers:
>What is your experience in caregiving?
>Why are you interested in this field?
>What do you believe makes you qualified for this job?
>Can you give me the names and phone numbers of references?
>What kind of training have you had? Be specific if you know your needs. What about training or experience in driving? Bathing? Nutrition and cooking? Lifting?
>How flexible or inflexible is your schedule? Can you handle after-hours needs or emergencies?
>How do you handle it when a client expresses resentment toward you?
>Do you have professional liability insurance?
>What do you charge?
