Previous generations were expected to provide for their elderly relatives, but today’s family distribution is becoming increasingly difficult. Nowadays, people live for quite a bit longer. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the 65-and-up demographic is the fastest-growing age group in the country. Fewer people are having children, and many members of the baby boomer generation choose not to start a family at all; thus, there are fewer adult children to go on for support. Unfortunately, the distance between family members might make it challenging to get daily assistance.
Relocating to a more secure setting, such as an assisted living community, is the best option for certain people. Today, however, even as their care requirements evolve, an increasing number of seniors still choose to age in place at home. In-home care is becoming common as a complement to care given by families. What should you do to find a competent and trustworthy caregiver if your family decides to go that route?
Private employment is an option for some, and they may find suitable caregiver candidates by posting an ad on a community blog, in the church bulletin, or on a job board. These caregivers have three main categories: formal home employees, freelancers, and informal and unreported.
Gray market employment refers to the practice of finding and hiring workers outside of the traditional job market. One-third of families use the “gray market” to find caregivers, defined by the RAND Corporation as “providers who are unrelated to the recipient, not working for a regulated agency, and possibly unscreened and untrained.” This report was published in June 2021.
Consider the managerial, human resources, and legal positions that must be filled before hiring any private sector hires.
Assessing the care requirements of a loved one. Your loved one’s health, social, and supervisory requirements will have to be evaluated from the beginning, and a new strategy will be developed to satisfy those needs.
Hiring a caregiver through interviews. To safeguard a loved one from inept care, elder abuse, and financial exploitation in the context of gray market hiring, it is the family’s responsibility to verify prospective caregivers’ credentials and conduct a background check.
Training. You must evaluate the care’s competence to ensure your loved one’s care. If your loved one uses a wheelchair and has to be transported, you should verify that the caregiver is competent in wheelchair transfers.
A Very Useful Advice
By hiring through a dependable agency, you can offload many of the burdens associated with being an employer. The agency takes care of finding, interviewing, hiring, training, and supervising its employees. The in-home caregivers are employees of the agency, making them eligible for bonding and insurance. If you hire an agency, they will take care of your payroll and HR needs in exchange for an agency. In case of an emergency, they can send a replacement caregiver.
Depending on your family’s specific needs, the agency will pair you with a suitable caregiver. The agency is responsible for handling any issues that may arise. There is no tension if you or your loved one decide the caregiver isn’t a good fit. It is no problem for the agency to send a replacement caregiver who is a better fit.
