If you have an incapacitated or ill elderly parent who you think may need homecare in Dallas TX, there are a number of things you should think about when hiring someone to do the job. Choosing someone to take care of a person in a vulnerable position is difficult, especially if it’s your mother or father. You are essentially trusting this person not only with their health but with their safety. So, how do you go about selecting someone you can rely on to take care of your parent?

▸ Interview several candidates in person. Before you hire someone, even someone from a well-regarded agency that does homecare in Dallas TX, interview them in person. To maintain your privacy while you’re assessing the potential caregivers, you can meet in a public place. No matter where you talk to them, doing it face-to-face will give you a good impression of the kind of people they are and will allow you to ask questions that may not be on an application.

▸ Make sure all the candidates know what you’re looking for. Tell each person interviewing for the position everything you and your parent’s doctor are expecting from them. Although tasks can come up that you can’t anticipate, it’s best to know if they can (or want to) handle all of the work that’s involved. You can also make sure that each candidate has the medical qualifications necessary for them to do the work as well.

▸ Make sure you understand what a homecare agency will do. If you’re working with an agency, they doubtless have a set list of tasks that their employees or contractors can expect to do. Make sure that everything you need them to do is on the list before you sign a contract with the agency. Find out if additional fees will be incurred for specific tasks and how you go about terminating the contract or replacing a caregiver.

▸ Check references. This is especially important if you’re not hiring from an agency. Call all references and pay attention to how they respond to your questions. Are they enthusiastic about the person? Do they have vague answers to questions? Ask about gaps in references.

▸ Don’t forget to get background checks. Again, this is important if you’re hiring someone on your own without help from an agency. Background checks cost money but it’s money well-spent considering the caregiver may be alone with your elderly parent in their home. If you’re working with an agency, ask what exactly they checked and how extensive the check was.

▸ Don’t be afraid to move on. If the person you’re considering hiring or have hired just doesn’t feel like a good fit for you or your parent, move on. Don’t worry about hurting someone’s feelings when the welfare of your mother or father is at stake. If you feel that any conflict might possibly be because of a miscommunication, you can try to work it out before you find someone else.

For homecare in Dallas TX that you can trust, call us at Hope Companion Care at (972) 975-9555 or visit us online to learn more.