What do I need to consider when hiring a caregiver for my parent?

There are many things to consider when you're looking to hire a caregiver, from your loved one's safety to the Caregiver's qualifications to compensation. Here are a few tips if you’re considering a caregiver and how you can find a caregiver you trust.

• If you're on the fence about hiring help, think about all of the tasks you and your loved one need to handle—personal care, household care, healthcare, and emotional care. A caregiver could ease some of those burden.
• Ease your parent into the relationship with the caregiver. It will be new and different. The transition may be easier if the caregiver and parent share a similar cultural background or language, though this is not a necessity. Consider who your parent would feel most comfortable with.
• Try starting with a housekeeper. Sometimes parents are more open to someone coming in to help with housework than someone taking care of them.
• Make sure you and your parent both feel comfortable. It can help to reach out to the caregiver's healthcare agency and learn more about their certifications and vetting processes.
• Contact a home healthcare agency. These organizations listen to people's needs and match them with the right caregiver.
• Check to make sure the healthcare agency has the proper licenses and insurance for your area.
• Seek out recommendations from people who've also looked for caregivers. They'll usually be able to recommend an agency or specific caregiver they trust.
• If you find a Caregiver through an agency, the agency will handle payroll and taxes. If you hire someone privately, that will be your responsibility.