Hiring a private duty caretaker can feel overwhelming. How will you pay for it? How often do you or your loved one need assistance? And how will you find the best person for the job?

The relationship with a private duty caregiver is very important, for both patients and their families. Here is what to look for when you begin searching for a caregiver:

Determine Your Loved One’s Needs

The process of hiring a private duty caregiver will be much simpler if you know clearly what your loved one needs. Some people need help with daily tasks, while others need medical assistance. Many people will start with one level of private care, but as their condition improves or progresses, they need something different.

How many days per week and hours per day will they need assistance? Determining the amount of time your loved one needs care will also help determine if you need to work with multiple caregivers.

These are among the biggest questions to tackle when you decide to hire a private duty caregiver. However, the more you know about what your loved one needs, the smoother the hiring process will become.

Pay Attention to Background and Experience

Wherever you are looking to hire a private duty caregiver, make sure you check their background. At Spoon River Home Health, our caregivers are subject to the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines to be certain they meet the requirements for the Health Care Work Background Check Act. Check with your state’s requirements before you hire a caregiver.

It’s critical to verify your potential caregiver checks out legally, but their professional background is equally important. If you know what your loved one’s needs are, you can create a criteria for what kind of experience a caregiver should have. For example, you might want to work with someone who is familiar with certain conditions or illnesses, who has certain qualifications or even someone who is bilingual. Prioritize which qualities matter most, and use that to help you find an ideal caregiver for your loved one.

Focus on Relationship

You and your loved one has to be able to trust whoever you hire to care for them. Personal qualifications are certainly important, but your loved one will be spending a great deal of time with a caregiver. Communication and understanding will ensure that they get the best care possible.

Sometimes personalities don’t mesh well. That’s why you should allow your loved one to meet a caregiver before hiring them. Companionship is one component of overall well-being, and it should be a factor when you’re searching for a private duty caregiver. Loneliness is a serious problem, especially among the elderly. The presence of a caregiver is an opportunity for your loved one to have regular interaction with someone they trust.

The search for a caregiver does not have to be stressful. Our Client Service Specialists help assess your loved one’s needs to match them with a staff member who we think would be the best fit. Contact us today to start the process.