How to Choose an In-Home Caregiver in California for Your Loved One

For many Californians the time comes when their loved elderly parent or family member may need some help within their home. Whether they need help with meal preparation, personal health and hygiene, or just some help around the home and with errands, finding the right person to care for your elder can be stressful. Types of in-home caregivers for elders may range from a weekly housekeeper to a certified nursing assistant, or skilled care worker. The range of services provided may be cleaning the home, dispensing medication, helping the elder with transportation, or home care workers may help with personal care such as bathing, and monitoring overall health. Once you determine the type of care your loved elder needs, there are many places to find compassionate, qualified in-home caregivers. Consider beginning your search by asking for referrals from friends and family, or from a doctor specializing in senior care. You can also check job postings such as those found in the newspaper, or online on sites including www.Caring.com. When interviewing a potential caregiver for your loved one, be sure to: *Photocopy a Valid California Driver's License *Obtain Proof of Certifications *Check References *Run A Background Check *Spend Time Getting to Know Them After you've hired an in-home caregiver, make sure to stay in contact with your loved elder. In addition, be sure to schedule consultations with the caregiver at least once per week to remain current on your loved one's wellbeing. Wherever possible make unannounced visits while their caregiver is there to make sure that the relationship between the two is one of mutual respect and care. The decision to hire an in-home caregiver for your loved elder is a big decision and warrants time and careful screening of candidates to ensure you've selected the best person for the job. Christopher C. Walton is an award winning San Diego, California elder abuse attorney whose practice is dedicated to issues involving nursing home abuse, elder abuse & neglect. If you believe you or somebody you know has been subjected to abuse or neglect while residing in a Southern California nursing home, contact Chris at (866) 338-7079 for a free and confidential consultation.