Opening your life to a caregiver or nurse—a person who is essentially a stranger—may be emotionally challenging for a client, their family, or even the caregiver. Luckily, there are some ways to prepare for that challenge. Knowing what to look for when interviewing or hiring a caregiver or LPN or RN can help.
The suggestions below, along with your own personal research will give you an idea of what to expect when hiring a nurse or caregiver:
- One good way to prepare for a caregiver coming into your life is to understand what a caregiver’s job is all about.
- A caregiver’s or CNA’s tasks may include (but are not limited to) help with errands, food preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication reminders, meal preparation, assisting with activities of daily living, maintaining a schedule, and even joining in activities with the client from time to time.
- A nurse (LPN, RN), on the other hand, will assume more medical-related tasks including diabetic care, medication management, wound care, IV medication administration, post-surgery care, disease management, and geriatric care.
- First Care also offers Contracted Staffing Services to provide ongoing support. Some agencies, like First Care, also offer VIP packages where the client can pick and choose from among the offered services which might require the permanent or temporary placement of Nurses (RN, LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) within specific facilities or businesses.
- While a caregiver or nurse may come into your home to support your loved one in his or her daily activities, it’s important to know how those nurses are evaluated professionally. First Care is devoted to making sure our clients’ needs are met from the moment they are introduced to us—and doing what YOU need done. Your nurse or caregiver should be too.
- We employ a Client Coordinator whose job is to focus specifically on each clients’ needs, and who communicate with clients or the responsible loved ones on how our nurses are performing and who also can answer questions.
- The Client Coordinator also performs unannounced supervisory visits while our nurses are present.
- Commit to a consultation with a Care Advisor and ask to meet potential caregivers. You don’t have to make the decision on your own! Most agencies will offer a free consultation with you and your loved one to see if you are a good fit.
- At First Care, one of our Certified Care Advisors will meet with you and your loved one to determine the care plan and how to best implement it.
- Be sure your care plan outlines, specifically, all the duties you expect of your caregiver or nurse to help your advisor select the right personal fit.
- Based on your initial consultation with the agency, your caregiver or nurse will have a customized plan for fulfilling required duties.
- You and the nurse or caregiver will make a plan together for the best course of care, with the nurse providing guidance on how best to implement medical care.
- When in doubt, it’s better to simply ask the caregiver or agency about regularly scheduled daily in-home responsibilities.
- While licensing regulations vary from state to state there are some universal standards you can expect from a professional homecare agency sending a trained nurse or caregiver to your home.
- At First Care Home Services, all staff go through a rigorous in-person interview and face-to-face orientation. Our rigorous hiring and training process, as well as a thorough background checks (Federal/State/County), Social Security verification, frequent supervisory visits and more assure client confidence in our staff.
- Employees who become caregivers at First Care receive specialized training in procedures including IV medication administration, palliative care, or other necessary training to prepare them for entering the lives of their clients.
- Association and professional organization endorsements and memberships also may be an indicator of the quality of caregiver you will work with.
- Look for national membership or certifications held by the agency. For example, First Care Home Services is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).*
- Take note: a professional caregiver will not be offended by you asking for information regarding certifications, training, or industry involvement. A professional caregiver from an agency like First Care understands how important your loved one’s care is, and will ease your mind with their professionalism.
- Ultimately, you need to be confident knowing you are dealing with professionals, and as such, you have the right to expect a competent and caring level of caregiver commitment.
We know the thought of having a “stranger” in your home may seem daunting at first, but hopefully, the suggestions here will help you in establishing trust with a care provider. And please reach out to us if you have any questions at all.
*ACHC License #
Miami Dade County: 29992562 (Medicare & Medicaid Certified)
Broward County: 299994743
