Your loved one deserves the best care. When they require professional help, provide them with the right caregiver. Interview your candidates, ask about their education and experience, contact their references, research their online presence, lean on your intuition, and discuss the candidates with your loved one to find a match. For further support, turn to elderly assisted living services in Caroline County, MD.
Coastal Home Care provides excellent in-home care support to seniors who need help with Alzheimer’s, dementia, surgery recovery, or the natural aging process. We offer support for daily chores, medication management, and transportation. Plus, our team of caregivers and support staff is managed by registered nurses. Coastal Home Care comprises skilled, compassionate, and empathetic caregivers who act as companions to those in need of care. Contact us today at 866-687-7307.
Below, we outline the steps you should take before hiring a caregiver:
1. Interview Your Candidates
You should approach the hiring process as if you were hiring an employee for a company. We expect that you want high-quality services, so you should interview as such.
Prepare for the interview by writing down questions, especially regarding information that does not appear on the candidate’s application. For example, ask whether they have cared for patients who had any medical conditions your loved one has.
Also, ask how the candidate would handle scenarios such as your loved one refusing to take medication. You should consider difficult behaviors your loved one has demonstrated before.
Beyond the facts and experience, get to know your candidate’s personality. Ask what they love most about being a caregiver and what they dislike about it.
2. Ask About Their Education & Experience 
Caregivers require certifications and education to conduct certain forms of care. So, determine whether your candidate is qualified to complete the tasks your loved one needs.
Common caregiver certifications include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Personal Care Aid (CPCA), and Home Health Aide (HHA). While certified caregivers usually come at a higher rate, you must find one to fulfill the needs of your loved one.
3. Contact Their References
Ask your candidate to provide at least two references, one personal and one professional. Contact their references and ask about their former work history—including why the employee left—their strengths and weaknesses, and whether they are eligible for rehire.
References should not always be a defining factor, but they provide invaluable second and third opinions.
4. Research Their Online Presence
Whether or not you choose to run a full background check, which you must inform your candidate about, you should research your candidate’s online presence. Refer to their LinkedIn and social media profiles to learn more about them.
Search their name and location with any previous associations including work or school. Use this information to cross-check their resume, as well as to uncover other available information.
5. Lean Into Your Intuition
After meeting and interviewing your candidate, reflect on the interaction. You may feel overwhelmed after the interview process, so pause and process your thoughts. What are your initial impressions of the candidate? Did you feel at ease around them? Did the conversation flow easily?
In addition to the candidate’s experience and education, consider what your gut instinct was about the person. Your intuition may be a determining factor in whether or not you would like to hire the candidate.
6. Discuss Candidates With Your Loved One
Include your loved one in the interview, if possible. After all, they will be in the care of the caregiver. Then. ensure that both you and your loved one agree on the candidate you select for employment. Take time to discuss the candidate’s potential with your loved one.
Coastal Home Care: Elderly Assisted Living Support in Caroline County, MD
For elderly assisted living services in Caroline County, MD, trust Coastal Home Care. We will help you find the right caregiver to fulfill the needs of your loved one. Caregivers at Coastal Home Care are passionate about providing unique support to your loved one’s life. Our goal is to supplement your loved one’s personal, physical, and medical needs while maintaining their privacy and dignity at home. Contact us at 866-687-7307.