This is a great checklist for interviewing caregivers. I've gotten so overwhelmed and tired of looking sometimes I want to just settle for a warm body. Currently, we have one very competent helper for mom and one well-intentioned helper. And me.
Nah. I have coverage 9-5 seven days a week, I'm on 5pm - 9am. She's usually asleep by 8pm and up at 6am. All good. She's sleeping through the night again, which means I am too. It's the weekend aide that is always the issue, no one wants to work only two days a week, so either I can't keep them when they find full time, or I don't get the best. But, you know, making it work. ❤️
Awww she's sleeping through the night again, phew!
It's a pity you can't tag-team another aide, with someone else in your building - as a shared carer support - you get weekends someone else gets Monday Tuesday or something. Wouldn't that be a cool - A community support-team!
Judi, you are amazing. This is a great list, and everyone hiring a caretaker should read it. My elderly mother had several caregivers - all from Ireland - and when she passed away, my father had a terrible, overnight decline. Now he has the same caretakers that my mom had. At the end of the day, we trust them. I do think he pays them too much, but it's his money, and if this is how he wants to spend it, then good for him. I'm going to subscribe so I can follow along your journey.
Lots of great questions and thoughts here Judi! Nicely done!
I put a note together with Sammie's - just to say: here in the UK, often the availability of care agencies/providers is often an issue before considering care needs or wishes.
Time and energy are invested in' onboarding’ someone, which may have to be repeated when the person is different from an agency—there’s no guarantee it’s the same person each time.
Finding good carers is what many call a 'postcode lottery' here.
Thanks, Victoria. I kinda thought you might assume that. We are looking as much for a companion as a caregiver. I guess by that I mean we don’t need anyone who’s versed in the medical as we need a friend for me who could come to the house. (Maybe I could get a therapist to come out. lol) And not quite yet. I know, I know, I wrote of starting the process early. And maybe I should. Anyhoo, we used A Place For Mom for Jenny’s mom, but before we finished service with them, mom moved and Vicki, Jenny’s sister took that over cause mom moved to Vicki’s city. Getting her packed up was partly up to me. What a trip! She wanted to tell me stories about everything we packed! I felt like the sisters (Jenny and Vicki) would be mad I didn’t get more done , but I listened to her not realizing I was doing something “right.”
Well, I went way off the rails there. You’re getting me at 6:03 a.m. which is when I like to talk. Anyway, thanks for your interest and help. A Place for Mom may have some resources. I hadn’t thought of that.
You're welcome. If you're looking for more ideas, there are several of us around who could suggest things. I'll take my cue from you. Keep us posted. hugs
Doesn’t sound like a good situation. I don’t know what it’s like over here (U.S.). I’ve seen commercials for students to enroll in a private school/class to become caregivers. I wouldn’t know who to call. I’ve called the county agency on aging to no avail and another agency. So it might not be very accessible here either.
Judi - are you asking about how you and Jenny start looking / calling for at home caregiver support? There are several people I know here who'd gladly offer thoughts but I didn't want to presume that you were asking for 'how to' advice.'
There's so much to love about this article! Every sentence brings value and clarity to establishing a relationship that is your life connection, and what could be more essential than that? It reads like a foundational piece of key information your readers will keep and use. You did a beautiful job maintaining an empathetic/informational link throughout the post, which is not easy. I especially love this: "You might not feel like you need a caregiver if you’ve been living on your own. That’s the best time to start the process. Most families wait too long then they’re making frantic decisions." It's so truthful. a warning that's frank but not harsh. -- It's an honor to be connected with the article. Thank you for the link to my newsletter! ❤
This is a great checklist for interviewing caregivers. I've gotten so overwhelmed and tired of looking sometimes I want to just settle for a warm body. Currently, we have one very competent helper for mom and one well-intentioned helper. And me.
Sounds like you pretty well have it covered, though scheduling must be difficult.
Nah. I have coverage 9-5 seven days a week, I'm on 5pm - 9am. She's usually asleep by 8pm and up at 6am. All good. She's sleeping through the night again, which means I am too. It's the weekend aide that is always the issue, no one wants to work only two days a week, so either I can't keep them when they find full time, or I don't get the best. But, you know, making it work. ❤️
You’d think someone that was retired would jump at the chance. Good luck!
Awww she's sleeping through the night again, phew!
It's a pity you can't tag-team another aide, with someone else in your building - as a shared carer support - you get weekends someone else gets Monday Tuesday or something. Wouldn't that be a cool - A community support-team!
Judi, you are amazing. This is a great list, and everyone hiring a caretaker should read it. My elderly mother had several caregivers - all from Ireland - and when she passed away, my father had a terrible, overnight decline. Now he has the same caretakers that my mom had. At the end of the day, we trust them. I do think he pays them too much, but it's his money, and if this is how he wants to spend it, then good for him. I'm going to subscribe so I can follow along your journey.
Oh thank you. Sounds like you’ve had your hands full of caregiving even though he’s had others in.
Lots of great questions and thoughts here Judi! Nicely done!
I put a note together with Sammie's - just to say: here in the UK, often the availability of care agencies/providers is often an issue before considering care needs or wishes.
Time and energy are invested in' onboarding’ someone, which may have to be repeated when the person is different from an agency—there’s no guarantee it’s the same person each time.
Finding good carers is what many call a 'postcode lottery' here.
Thanks, Victoria. I kinda thought you might assume that. We are looking as much for a companion as a caregiver. I guess by that I mean we don’t need anyone who’s versed in the medical as we need a friend for me who could come to the house. (Maybe I could get a therapist to come out. lol) And not quite yet. I know, I know, I wrote of starting the process early. And maybe I should. Anyhoo, we used A Place For Mom for Jenny’s mom, but before we finished service with them, mom moved and Vicki, Jenny’s sister took that over cause mom moved to Vicki’s city. Getting her packed up was partly up to me. What a trip! She wanted to tell me stories about everything we packed! I felt like the sisters (Jenny and Vicki) would be mad I didn’t get more done , but I listened to her not realizing I was doing something “right.”
Well, I went way off the rails there. You’re getting me at 6:03 a.m. which is when I like to talk. Anyway, thanks for your interest and help. A Place for Mom may have some resources. I hadn’t thought of that.
You're welcome. If you're looking for more ideas, there are several of us around who could suggest things. I'll take my cue from you. Keep us posted. hugs
Doesn’t sound like a good situation. I don’t know what it’s like over here (U.S.). I’ve seen commercials for students to enroll in a private school/class to become caregivers. I wouldn’t know who to call. I’ve called the county agency on aging to no avail and another agency. So it might not be very accessible here either.
Judi - are you asking about how you and Jenny start looking / calling for at home caregiver support? There are several people I know here who'd gladly offer thoughts but I didn't want to presume that you were asking for 'how to' advice.'
I've noted several organisations in the US. E.g. https://www.aplaceformom.com/independent-living there's a section on independent living
There's so much to love about this article! Every sentence brings value and clarity to establishing a relationship that is your life connection, and what could be more essential than that? It reads like a foundational piece of key information your readers will keep and use. You did a beautiful job maintaining an empathetic/informational link throughout the post, which is not easy. I especially love this: "You might not feel like you need a caregiver if you’ve been living on your own. That’s the best time to start the process. Most families wait too long then they’re making frantic decisions." It's so truthful. a warning that's frank but not harsh. -- It's an honor to be connected with the article. Thank you for the link to my newsletter! ❤