Finding a caregiver for an elderly parent can sometimes feel daunting because you want to make the right decision for your loved one. You want the caregiver you invite into your parent’s home to be safe, caring, professional, and a good match. Whether your goal is finding a companion for an elderly person part-time, full-time, or respite care for your own relief, the right caregiver is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. In this guide, we’ll give you the steps and tips for finding a caregiver for an elderly parent, so you can feel confident when making a hiring decision.
1. Understand your home care needs
The first step in finding a caregiver for an elderly parent is understanding what kind of care your loved one requires. Does your parent need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and grooming? Are you in need of someone to provide transportation? Will you require meal preparation, medication management, and/or housekeeping? Are you the full-time family caregiver for your parent, and you’re finding respite care to provide relief a few times a week? Clearly identifying these needs will equip you to find a caregiver whose skillset aligns with your loved one’s ongoing needs.
If your parent doesn’t require medical support or assistance with daily activities, GoGoGrandparent might be an affordable and convenient option. GoGo's services include transportation, grocery and meal delivery, prescription delivery, and house services like housekeeping and laundry. Many clients even use our Home Services when finding a companion for an elderly person to help around the house.
2. Address your finances
In-home caregiving can be expensive, especially if your parent requires medical support or assistance with hygienic tasks. Before finding a caregiver for an elderly parent, set a clear budget to determine what you and your family members can realistically afford. This can help narrow your search and prevent unexpected financial stress in the future.
3. Involve the whole family in finding a caregiver for an elderly parent
Finding a companion for an elderly person is rarely a one-person decision. Caring for your elderly loved one should be a collaborative effort that involves family members, physicians, and other key stakeholders in the decision.
You should also consider your parent’s wishes. Although some older adults are resistant to the change or perceived loss of independence, including them in the decision-making process will make finding a caregiver for an elderly parent a smoother, more empathetic process. It’s also more likely to end up in a successful long-term partnership between your parent and their caregiver.
4. Prepare a job description
Finding a caregiver for an elderly parent is just like any other hiring process. Creating a detailed job description with clear responsibilities, tasks, and expectations helps find the right fit. In the job description, you should be upfront about your parent’s preferences, health conditions, requirements, accessibility needs, and more so you don’t waste time on unrealistic matches.
Include in the job description if you plan on using GoGoGrandparent’s services for transportation, grocery delivery, housekeeping, and more. Potential caretakers like to see that they have the support and use of GoGoGrandparent, and this may widen your hiring pool to include those who may not be able to drive, cook, or handle certain housekeeping tasks without GoGo’s aid.
5. Decide between agency and private care
Consider whether you’d like to hire a caregiver privately or through an agency. Finding a caregiver for an elderly parent may be easier through an agency because agencies thoroughly screen all their employees. However, agented caregivers also come with additional costs. A private caregiver may require you to do more upfront screening and interviewing, but it may be more affordable and offer a personalized approach. Do a Google search of “find a caregiver near me” to check out your local options before deciding which route to take.
6. Seek recommendations for finding a companion for an elderly person
Leverage your network to simplify the process of finding a caregiver for an elderly parent. Ask friends who have already made these decisions for their own parents to share their experiences. Inquire at church groups or social clubs where older adults gather. Check out online reviews and testimonials. Medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and therapists also can help recommend caregivers or agencies that align with your parent’s specific medical requirements and situation.
7. Conduct an interview
The interview is the most crucial step in finding a caregiver for an elderly parent. This is where you can get a sense if an individual will be a good fit for your family. Remember that a caregiver – even a part-time one – will likely become a big part of your parent’s life, so you want both the caregiver and your parent to feel comfortable with the choice.
Here are some things to include in the interview when finding a companion for an elderly person:
- Conduct a thorough background check. Agencies will perform background checks on their employees, but if you plan to hire an individual privately, you’ll want to run your own report to verify credentials, criminal history, and residency status.
- Check their training and certifications. Qualified caregivers will have certifications in nursing, first aid, or specialized geriatric training.
- Ask tough questions. Inquire about their previous experience, the types of clients they’ve worked with, how they handle difficult situations and conflicts, and more. Asking questions upfront will help you feel more confident when finding a caregiver for an elderly parent.
- Gauge their communication skills during the interview. See if they listen attentively, express their thoughts clearly, and are willing to maintain open lines of communication with the family.
- Consider personality compatibility. Your parent won’t get along with everyone – that’s part of life. Compatibility extends beyond skills and qualifications; it also encompasses shared values and the potential for meaningful connection.
- Inquire about scheduling and hours on- versus off-the-clock. You want to ensure scheduling expectations are a match.
- Aging is a complicated, nonlinear process, so prioritize finding a caregiver for an elderly parent who exhibits flexibility and adaptability and can adjust their approach as new situations arise.
8. Arrange a trial period
Before committing to a long-term caregiving agreement, consider a trial period to see the partnership in action. Your parent and their companion will get a sense of each other’s routines, personalities, and dynamics. This gives the most insight into whether the caregiver will be a good fit.
9. Trust your gut
You’ve done the research, the interviews, and the trial period. Now finding a caregiver for an elderly parent is about trusting your instincts. You can’t predict with absolute certainty if a pair will be a match, but the right caregiver may just feel like a good fit for you and your family.
Finding respite care
Caring for an elderly loved one is a demanding job family caregivers. Finding respite care – aka temporary relief for family caregivers – is critical to prevent burnout, feelings of resentment, and stress. If you’re finding a companion for an elderly person for respite care, the above process still applies. Even a short-term caregiver should still follow this good “fit” criteria.
Finding respite care can be challenging, but many agencies offer respite care services. Feeling lost? Call GoGo Home Services, and our operators may be able help you locate nearby, professional services.
Where can I find a caregiver?
Start by googling “find a caregiver near me,” then follow the process above to streamline finding a caregiver for an elderly parent. Choosing the right caregiver requires careful thought, research, and consideration, so take the time to make a choice that feels right for everyone involved.
Many of GoGo’s clients are seniors living independently with part- or full-time caregivers. GoGo’s services are a great supplement to your caregiving team. For example, if you find a caregiver who’s the perfect fit but doesn’t drive, you can use GoGo Rides to get your parent and their companion to and from stores, doctors’ appointments, and more. Or, for example, you might want to send a GoGo Gourmet delivery twice a week as a treat for your parent and their full-time caregiver. Register for GoGoGrandparent today to access top-notch services right now while you’re in the process of finding a companion for an elderly person in your life.
