Hiring in-home help: things to consider

By Cheryl Theriault

Often, the first step to hiring in-home help is the hardest. That's the step where you admit you can't do everything - especially if you're working full time.

The second hard step to take is getting your parents to agree to accept help from someone outside of the family.

After you've made those difficult steps, where do you go from there? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Decide what kind of help you need.
   Then prepare a list of duties for the helper. This job description should be designed as a work contract to be signed by the caregiver and the attendant.
   
   
2. Find the helper.
   One of the best ways to find a helper is to get a personal recommendation from a trusted relative or friend. Beyond that you may try searching through your church, senior center, home health agencies. Nursing students or social work students may also be appropriate.
   
   
3. Do your homework.
   Homework could entail any number of things depending on who you're hiring and what kind of access they will have to your parents and their home, including:
   • performing a criminal background check
   • calling references
   • verifying pertinent insurance policies

    

Aging Family Services provide guidance through every step of the process. We can help you identify what type of in-home care you need and can be available to help supervise that care if necessary. We also have long-standing relationships with trustworthy local providers of a variety of services.