Many agencies (58.5 percent) use self-reports in which they ask the caregiver to describe their own skills. "In the hunt for a job, some people may report they can do tasks that in reality they have no idea how to do," Lindquist said. "We found agencies sending caregivers out into the seniors' home without checking."
Inconsistent supervision of the caregiver.
Agencies should send a supervisor to do a home visit to check on the caregivers more frequently initially and then at least once a month. But this only occurred with 30 percent of the agencies.
"Amazingly, some agencies considered supervision to be asking the caregiver how things were going over the phone or when the employee stopped in to get their paycheck," Lindquist said.
With seniors wishing to remain in their own homes, paid caregivers fill an important role.
"The public should demand higher standards, but in the short term, seniors need to be aware what explicitly to look for when hiring a paid caregiver through an agency," Lindquist said.
Below are Lindquist's 10 questions to ask an agency prior to hiring a paid caregiver:
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A CAREGIVER
1. How do you recruit caregivers, and what are your hiring
requirements?
2. What types of screenings are performed on caregivers before you
hire them? Criminal background check-federal or state? Drug screening?
Other?
3. Are they certified in CPR or do they have any health-related training?
4. Are the caregivers insured and bonded through your agency?
5. What competencies are expected of the caregiver you send to the
home? (These could include lifting and transfers, homemaking skills, personal care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting, training in behavioral
management and cognitive support.)
6. How do you assess what the caregiver is capable of doing?
7. What is your policy on providing a substitute caregiver if a regular caregiver cannot provide the contracted services?
8. If there is dissatisfaction with a particular caregiver, will a substitute be provided?
9. Does the agency provide a supervisor to evaluate the quality of home care on a regular basis? How frequently?
10. Does supervision occur over the telephone, through progress
reports or in-person at the home of the older adult?
Source: Northwestern University