When deciding whether to hire a private caregiver, or begin working with a trusted partner such as Home Instead Senior Care, there are many points to consider:
· Does the provider that you are considering have the required licensing to perform the duties that you are requesting? All agencies in North Carolina that provide both companionship care and personal care must be licensed by the state. Home Instead Senior Care in Guilford County is a licensed non-medical provider of companionship and personal care assistance in the state of North Carolina. Being licensed means that the provider is held to strict standards of conduct to make sure that you and your family are protected.
· How are caregivers selected? All staff should have passed thorough initial and formal interview process as well as an initial orientation program and pass background checks and drug screens. Home Instead Senior Care conducts initial telephone interviews, formal “face to face” interviews, attend an orientation program, and once selected the applicant must pass multiple reference and background checks and a drug screen. Additionally, once hired, all staff are subject to random drug screening. Our staff must also have reliable transportation, hold a valid drivers’ license and be insured. Adhering to these standards means that the families can have peace of mind knowing our CAREGivers are of the highest quality.
· How are caregivers trained to perform their jobs? They should be regularly trained and updated on skills required to perform their jobs Home Instead’s CAREGivers are held to higher standards of conduct and are required to attend our regular in house training programs and skills assessments, both initially and also at multiple times during the year. Our CAREGivers are also required to complete our proprietary Alzheimer’s Training program.
· Does the agency provide insurance to protect you? Most agencies are required to bond the CAREGivers in the event of theft and also provide liability and workers compensation insurance. Clients can choose to hire CAREGivers privately, generally for lower cost, but often there is no recourse during events such as an accident or theft. Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGivers are licensed and bonded and held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
· Does the provider have a “back up” plan in the event that a caregiver cannot come to work? Another risk is dependability and not having flexibility in the event the caregiver cannot get to work. If a Home Instead CAREgiver is unable to work, our on-site staffing department works relentlessly to find a CAREgiver, matching and exceeding our client expectations, as quickly as possible. With our depth of our trained staff, it is highly unlikely that a shift will go unfilled.
· Are you able to reach the provider at any hour of the day or night or on weekends? This business is a 24 hour per day, 7 days per week business. Caring for seniors is not a 9 – 5 task and you should be able to speak with a representative at any time of the day or night if you have concerns. Home Instead’s reliable, experienced staff is available for clients and caregivers 24/7! You will never talk with an answering service.
· Does someone from the office “check up” on the service? Regular contact is important in order to continue to meet a client’s needs. Our Quality Team is in the field all day making sure our clients are receiving the services for which they contracted us to provide and can help initiate any changes quickly if needed. We are also in the field to assist our CAREGivers should they have questions about the jobs which they are performing as well.
At Home Instead Senior Care, we not only want to partner with you in providing services to a loved one, but also be a resource in making the best possible decision for all of your care needs. If you have any further questions, our office staff would be happy to discuss at your earliest convenience - (336) 294-0081.
