Finding a suitable caregiver for an aging loved one can be challenging at best, but knowing what to look for and the indications of red flags, can make it possible for families to find a wonderful caregiver to help lighten the family load.  Elder care in Florida is not to be entered into without knowing the red flags to note when hiring a caregiver. The RNs at Partners in Healthcare help you avoid the traps often created by hiring independent contractors that can put your loved one at risk.

“I’m an expert!”

Self-aggrandizement is a red flag when interviewing caregivers. Our nurses typically screen these people out. True elder care experts will rarely refer to themselves as experts. They acknowledge that while they may have an understanding of eldercare issues, in order to be a real expert they must be familiar with their charge’s likes, dislikes and personal histories.

Chitter Chatter…Talk Talk Talk

Do they talk or do they listen? While it is important for a potential caregiver to talk about work experience, knowledge and approach to caring for the elderly, it is also important for them to ask questions and be good listeners. Those caregivers who ask questions specifically addressing your particular needs show a mindset towards gaining information, while exhibiting an understanding that each individual is just that. Our RNs create a through assessment so thye have an understanding of your needs and which caregivers will likely be a match for you or your loved one.

Social Skills

Social skills are a surprisingly important part of any good caregiver’s professional repertoire, especially when working in a personal residence. Not only do they affect the elderly patient’s living environment, poor social skills can add frustration to an already difficult situation. Caregivers must show patience while sharing a conversation. Red flags include interrupting, talking too loudly or too quietly, or making the residence more comfortable for themselves rather than the client, especially in the case of memory loss and aphasia. These red flags can be an indication of a lack of understanding in regards to elderly patients’ mental and communication abilities.

The best approach is to prepare ahead of time for the eventual likelihood your loved one will need in-home care. It is when the need becomes urgent that families are more likely to accidentally hire a troublesome caregiver.

The Nurses at Partners in Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to stay healthy at home with RN managed affordable care. We are a senior care agency providing elder home care serves in the Orlando area, 407-788-9393.