When an elderly parent goes from living independently to needing a personalized approach to care, you’ll want to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. Hiring a qualified, compassionate, and trustworthy caregiver to provide the best care can give you peace of mind.
Finding the right caregiver can seem daunting or challenging, especially if a loved one has dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease and needs memory care. So, how do you look for a caregiver for your elderly parent?
Asking the right questions can ensure your loved one will be in good hands. These can include questions based on experience, qualifications, references, and fit.
Questions to Ask When Looking for a Caregiver for Your Elderly Parent
Before knowing what questions to ask a caregiver candidate, it’s essential to recognize the level of care your elderly parent requires. Once the level of care is determined, asking the right questions can save you time and effort by ensuring the caregiver is qualified for the role and has the right personality fit.
Have an interview with a caregiver face to face, as this is far better than over the phone, to help discern qualities such as respect, compassion, and communication. And don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to make an informed decision.
We start by highlighting some general questions before moving on to more specific questions to ask a caregiver.
General Questions
These help you understand the needs of the caregiver and their compatibility:
- What are your rates, and how many hours can you work?
- What are your expectations for time off?
- Do you have a valid driver’s license and own a vehicle?
- Are you willing to have a background check?
- Are you looking for a short or long-term role?
Personality & Character Questions
These questions provide insight into a caregiver’s personality and character:
- Why did you decide to become a caregiver?
- Can you tell me why you are the right fit?
- What aspects of the job do you find most rewarding and challenging?
- What keeps you motivated during tough times?
- Can you tell me something about yourself that’s not on your resume?
- What are your hobbies, interests, and values?
Qualification Questions
The following questions are about the caregiver’s qualifications, training, work experience, and background:
- Do you have any formal qualifications and training in caregiving?
- Are you trained in first-aid?
- Do you have experience working with different levels of care, for example, memory or cognitive impairment?
- Are you okay with all caregiving-related duties, such as activities of daily living (ADLs)?
- Are you willing to help with household chores?
- Are you comfortable providing emotional support?
- Can you provide references from your previous work?
- How long was your previous caregiver role, and why did you leave?
Questions Around Preferences
These questions are specific to your elderly parent’s needs and preferences:
- Are you comfortable running errands, such as if a doctor’s appointment is required?
- Do you provide a personalized care plan with ongoing evaluations and updates?
- Do you offer specialized care for a senior loved one with specific needs?
- Are you comfortable with handling medications and any dietary restrictions that might exist?
Questions about Work Ethic
Here are some questions and hypothetical scenarios to determine work ethic, communication skills, and thought processes:
- Do you have a self-care routine to handle caregiving stressors to prevent burnout?
- How would you approach a disagreement on how to best care for my elderly parent?
- Can you tell me about a difficult situation in your previous role and how you resolved it?
- How would you handle a difficult or stressful situation (mention a scenario) with my elderly parent?
- Are you willing to sign a document that says you will not have guests over unless given prior approval?
- Are you comfortable with guests or family members visiting or stopping by unannounced?
- How do you communicate with a client regarding concerns, issues, or when there’s an emergency?
Personalized Care at South River
Overall, it’s essential that you and your elderly parent feel comfortable with the caregiver that you choose to hire. The best thing you can do is ask the right questions from the beginning to ensure confidence in their ability to provide personalized care.
If you’re interested in memory care or respite care for an elderly parent, Fox Trail Memory Care in South River offers a personalized approach to each community member. Contact us or request a visit to learn more about how we can support a loved one.
