Questions to ask regarding elder care
According to Jenny and Steve Rayl, co-owners of the Home Instead franchise in the greater Milwaukee area, the in-home care-providing field has grown along with the senior population.
“Not all non-medical services have the same standards, or provide extensive training to their employees. So while we encourage you to get a third party involved in caring for your loved older adult – for another set of eyes and ears that provide personal attention and ease your caregiving burden – it’s wise to ask questions before you sign an agreement,” Jenny says.
The Rayls suggest you ask potential providers:
— How do you check backgrounds of your employees?
— Are your employees bonded and/or insured?
— Do you provide employees with workers’ compensation coverage?
— Do you withhold social security and all taxes, or am I responsible for that?
— How do you train employees?
— What are your rates and minimum hours of service? How often do you bill for your services?
— Do rates change for evening, weekend or holiday services? Can you provide 24-hour care, seven days a week?
— Do I need to sign a contract?
— Can I adjust the schedule once it’s started?
— Do I get to help choose the caregiver, or at least meet the person in advance?
— Does the same caregiver come each time, and can we change caregivers?
— What happens if the caregiver is sick?
— Does your office have a supervisor on call at all times?
— What type of records do you maintain in the home to keep us informed?
— If I have a complaint or problem, whom do I talk with?
— Are you a local or national company?
