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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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My bad. Sorry JoAnn. I responded to you instead of PeggySue who the comment was intended for. I've worked for many clients who wanted a white, American woman. If people are hiring privately and paying privately it is their right to hire whoever they want. I always paid my taxes because my husband (even when he was my ex-husband) is a business/finance guy always did my taxes and got me every deduction legally possible. I had to make a living so I wasn't going to take up the sword and become an anti-racism crusader and activist. There is no "getting away with it". People have a right to hire whoever they want when they are paying privately and not involving an agency. I learned from experience what to ask someone hiring privately and how to tell if they're being truthful about the client. I never took cases where I did not meet the client before accepting. Sure, I've had to chase my pay down more than a few times and one time even to the hospital bedside of a client. I always get my money. Some clients and families have to learn the hard way. The hard way is that if my pay was not waiting for me on the agreed pay day, your loved one doesn't get any care from me. Most people will respect that.
JoAnn, I've been asked if I have kids on pretty much every private-duty caregiving position I ever applied to. I've always been asked if I drive and have a car too. Even care agencies ask that one. Private pay jobs are different than agency hiring ones. The people hiring can ask anything they want and hire anyone they want. That's the world of private-pay caregiving jobs. In both private-pay and agency positions a caregiver can be taken off an assignment at any moment with no explanation. Every agency-employed aide I ever knew including myself a few times has gotten the call from a supervisorwho says you're off a care case. No explanation and no reason given. It happens all the time.
I have been a caregiver now going on 25 years. I always recommend that people hire privately. Use a website like care.com and interview yourself. Always ask for references that you can literally speak to on the phone from families a potential hire has worked for. Ask the following questions:
1) Do they have kids? Your best bet is a hire who is older (over 40) who does not have kids they have to be home for.
2) Do they drive and have a car? Insist on both. When they don't have a car they will be unreliable.
Then be totally honest with exactly what the job is and what you expect. I can't tell you how many assignments I've been where I've been told the client is a little forgetful and maybe tinkles a little by accident. There may be a bit of light housekeeping. The reality is they are completely out of it with violent Alzheimer's, are totally diaper-dependent incontinent, and the "light" housekeeping is a filthy, squalorous hoard. Always be honest about exactly what the needs are and the pay. Also about the hours. I only work the hours I am hired for. I do not make special visits. I do not go and check on someone after hours. I do not take phone calls from clients who call after hours because they're bored or lonely. Don't expect this from anyone you're hiring. You'll be able to find yourself a good caregiver if you do these things.
Although we live in another country I think same things apply.last May I started looking for a lady for my mum just for 6 months during summer so I can have some time of for myself as we live near beach go swimming everyday ext. it was much harder than I thought..after changing 4 of them in two months I realised there isn't a perfect one and I just have to settle with one better than last. I wanted a live in one incase I go somewhere for a day or too also someone can cook as well.To my experience need to ask clean report from polise, what is her experience,how long she was with them?why left them ?can she supply any references?does she smoke?one said just a few but ended up 1.5 packs a day..has she have kids?how old and how many?they usually come up something happens to kids and say can't come today...also good to worn about using mobile phone all day which I found they never leave it🙄..how clean she is?
hygiene is very important but that's a bit hard to understand till she starts,get one of those baby cameras there are very good ones you can hear voices as well and not expensive, what is her routine with the patient?if bedridden ,does she know how to change nappies,what to do incase of bed sores?if needed ,tube feeding ?aspirate ext..might not need yet but these things usually happens later ..
If using an agency, I would suggest a smaller (perhaps local) one rather than a national franchise one. My experiences for my 95yo mother - the national ones - high turnovers , not the same person every time thus different levels of care and experience, scheduling availabilities (and last minute changes for both parties). Also, check to make sure the agency is on good standing with your state; verify their bonds and insurance are current, and yes, check out yelp reviews as well (although take those not always as seriously - however, if an agency has only 1-3 star reviews over a period of 2 years, I would hesitate).
If hiring outside an agency, an independent, verify that they are licensed and bonded (verify that those are both current and in effect); check past references (although those could be friends/family acting like past clients); find out how they have been handling employment taxes (are they doing that or are you going to have to do that), and run national background checks on them (sometimes they just moved to the state and thus no history in the current state). Verify they have an vehicle and that the registration/insurance is current (especially if they may be tasked to take your parent somewhere's or do errands (pick up rx etc) for you. Check AND verify their credentials (i.e., they could show you a college degree/diploma but you know today's world...have it verified that it is legit).
And finally, no matter which path you take for hiring someone to help, remove valuables or anything else of 'value' that might be temptations. Not just obvious ones like cash, credit cards, jewelry, but other items. My mother had a lot of 'stuff' - stuff that wasn't really valuable but with sentiment. And the caretakers were careful how they stole the items - one item here and there (and rearranging the other stuff so it wasn't as noticeable....i.e., mother had a small set of 3 marble bears - about 2" tall - so small enough to blend in with their surroundings. When it was time to clear out her home, after 3 years of caretaking, only 1 bear was found...and then I started noticing other 'small' items that were missing, or small pieces of costume jewelry that I remember she had but were in her chest of drawers but not worn). I trusted the agency and their caretakers because of their good standing reputation....I shouldn't have).
KateChem: Ask if they have been a caregiver to an elder before and specifically for your dad's issues. Also ask if they are Covid vaccinated and boosted.
Make up a scenario to see how they would handle s situation. Ask them to tell u a story about their grand parent(s) to see there reaction, facial and put on ur listening ears . Ask how do they feel about ageism.
Rather than a caregiver are there Adult Day programs in your area? Most will pick up in the morning, provide a light breakfast or snack, a lunch another snack in the afternoon and return them home in the afternoon. He would be engaged with other people, many programs have outings or activities that come in. While many in programs like this have dementia not all do. Another option would be checking the schedule at the local Senior Center and see if he would be interested in programs they have there. These options would be great if he does not "need" a lot of care and the caregiver is there of companionship rather than doing caregiving duties.
Your answer to this question is "RIGHT ON". Most of the time a companion is needed more than an alternate caregiver. I discovered this myself. The caregiver wanted to do things for my mom that she was capable of doing for herself (with assistance). After 3 weeks, Mom became more agitated when I mentioned the caregiver was coming. She finally said to me, "You provide me all the care I need; I just get lonesome and would like someone to visit and talk to on occasion." I cancelled the caregiver and sought out a companion. It was GREAT, she (the companion) engaged Mom. They visited, worked puzzles, watched TV shows that they had in common, and even colored in Adult Coloring Books while they chatted. Mom is doing fantastic now with more smiles and laughter. Caregiver vs. Companion is a decision that needs to be carefully looked at. BRAVO for your suggestion GRANDMA1954.
I am in same position and w/my wife recently deceased her cousin is assisting me in interviews. she is also our C.P.A. One good question is if you need to change the schedule--example I do not need the care taker or I need to changer his/her work schedule am I charged extra many say yes if less than 24/48 hrs notice...ie If I do not need the caretaker Wed can they come another time...One of the largest companies her in central Oklahoma DOES NOT charge extra they have my vote..may not sound vital but it is..For the 1st time since my wifes passing I was invited to baseball game...all tickets covered ..I only had 24 hr notice..just an FYI
Ask for references. Find an agency that you trust. I have found that it’s worth the fee, because with personal hire, many things seem to just vanish, aides are late or don’t show up, and you are just a job. You may hope for a relationship, but chances are, it’s a one way. My last personal hire stood me up when I had an important doctors appointment. I was late and had to call a cab. I have a long list of stories, so a good reliable agency is Worth it. If an agency doesn’t pay the aides well enough, they don’t get good responsible people, and the patient suffers the consequences. Here’s hoping that this helps. It would have saved me a lot of headache.
I’v seen a lot of posts about using an agency because they provide back up if someone is sick and they do background checks, etc. I just wanted to share that my experience with a nationally known agency was not the same. They say they do all of those things, but they don’t necessarily happen. There was not always a back up when someone was sick. They often just called me and my mom and told us no one would be there to help my 91 year old great aunt that just had shoulder surgery so we’d have to go stay with them (when the purpose of the agency was to have them be there 24 hours a day). The director of the agency said that some of her caregivers drive, but they don’t have a drivers license. Then my great uncle’s credit card was stolen and the agency ended up telling us that a particular caregiver had a warrant out for her arrest (so they KNEW about it!). And she was allowed to work in elderly people’s home! Not ok! And, this wasn’t cheap - over $16k a month for 24 hour care. So we weren’t going for the cheapest we could find. We THOUGHT we were going with the best!
I know our experience is (hopefully) an outlier, but I guess the point is that an agency isn’t always what they sell it to be. So, my advice is to ask lots of questions, even with an agency.
I ask if they will do his laundry, make a sandwich for his lunch, what snacks and drinks they like to have on hand. Sometimes clothing needed to be changed and he needed help in bathroom. Determine if they will engage in conversation or just sit and watch; interaction was so important to my husband. I found it best when the person had experience in caring for someone with dementia whether a client or a family member. I had help from a mix of a medical student in the neighborhood, friends from church, and an agency. Most were good for different reasons. A few from the agency were not good for different reasons, mostly reliability. (They get paid so little in this area) Hard of hearing, my husband needed the person to be clearly, understandably heard. Good luck! The right person will help you to take care of yourself!!
@SusanDon, you just made a really good point when you said “Hard of hearing, my husband needed the person to be clearly, understandably heard.”
That is so true: some people speak way too quickly, or mumble, or sort of slide all their words together into one huge long indecipherable word, so a caregiver should take care to hire those who speak clearly and slowly enough that one’s brain can input each word.
Many agencies do background checks, and I'm not sure how an individual does this, but it might be something to consider. A friend of mine had indoor surveillance cameras, so she could keep an eye on things on the home front, when she was at work, (and she told everyone who entered about this, so it was out in the open, so to speak). It's sad to be so suspicious and wary of things these days, but peace of mind is worth a lot. I'd also get references and check on them.
I ask the following: Q:Please tell me your experience caring for elderly men (or women). have follow up questions ready Example: how many hours a day, how many days a week, were they incontinent-how did you manage their toileting schedule. Q: Please describe a normal day with your client. Q: Describe your methods to help bathe/toilet. Q: Fluids and snacks are part of this job; are you willing to get the snacks and give drinks? Q: Are you able and willing to work schedule (give schedule)? Q: How flexible are you to work additional days/hours? Q: Do they have a backup person who helps if they are unable to work? (I found that private carers have a community of other helpers they call on; it has been a blessing for my mom to have more than one person who is willing for fill in. Q: Exercise is important for flexibility-how do they incorporate movement into the shift? I didn’t add the questions of the others who have responded but I think they are good to ask as well. It has been a blessing to get help for my mom. She actually responds really well to one particular person who is 5 days a week /4 hours a day. The other lady is good too. Mom ran off 3 people in the beginning by just being snippy and stubborn. The ones we have now are perfect for her.
Your Dad has hearing and vision problems. Does he wear hearing aids? If not, you will need to ask the candidate how they've ever dealt with a senior with poor hearing, and vision. - Ask what types of enriching activities they think would be appropriate to do with your Dad. - Ask if they are first-aid certified and know what to do in case he falls, or has a health crisis. - Have them provide references for the last 2 caregiving jobs. Make sure you call them. - A background check would be essential: this isn't something you "ask" the candidate about, you will need to figure out how to get one done. Then make sure all valuables and sensitive information and devices are secured, locked up and password protected before anyone starts to work for you. - Is this person willing to drive your father places? Do they know how to safely get someone into and out of a vehicle? - Are they licensed, bonded and insured? - discuss expectations about their phone usage during work time.
What is your expectation for them calling in sick and there's no sub for a private hire? Agencies can provide a sub. They also do background checks and take care of the employer tax withholding and reporting, which you may need to also do depending on what rules your state has about caregivers. In my state no caregiver is ever a "contract" worker -- they are always an employee.
Be curious about the caregiver’s family situation because that will give you an idea of how much they are obligated to dealing with home life. For instance, do they expect to be picking up their grandkids at school every day and won’t be available to take the patient to a doctor appointment. I’d want to know if they smoke because I won’t hire a smoker. I’d ask if they have DUIs and check to make sure they’re telling the truth. I’d find out if they use drugs. I’d ask for references and have a real conversation with those people who previously employed them. I’d want to know if they’ve ever been arrested. And so on.
KateChem, if I was hiring someone outside of an Agency, I would ask how much experience have they had with working with the elderly. I see from your profile this would be your father, who is in his 90's. It appears there is no dementia involved. And he is mobile. Correct?
I would also ask if they have had their covid shots/boosters. And they might ask if your Dad has had his.
Depending on what type of work you would want the caregiver to do, as to questions involving that work.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
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APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
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This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
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You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I've worked for many clients who wanted a white, American woman. If people are hiring privately and paying privately it is their right to hire whoever they want.
I always paid my taxes because my husband (even when he was my ex-husband) is a business/finance guy always did my taxes and got me every deduction legally possible.
I had to make a living so I wasn't going to take up the sword and become an anti-racism crusader and activist.
There is no "getting away with it". People have a right to hire whoever they want when they are paying privately and not involving an agency.
I learned from experience what to ask someone hiring privately and how to tell if they're being truthful about the client. I never took cases where I did not meet the client before accepting.
Sure, I've had to chase my pay down more than a few times and one time even to the hospital bedside of a client. I always get my money. Some clients and families have to learn the hard way. The hard way is that if my pay was not waiting for me on the agreed pay day, your loved one doesn't get any care from me. Most people will respect that.
I've been asked if I have kids on pretty much every private-duty caregiving position I ever applied to. I've always been asked if I drive and have a car too. Even care agencies ask that one.
Private pay jobs are different than agency hiring ones. The people hiring can ask anything they want and hire anyone they want. That's the world of private-pay caregiving jobs. In both private-pay and agency positions a caregiver can be taken off an assignment at any moment with no explanation. Every agency-employed aide I ever knew including myself a few times has gotten the call from a supervisorwho says you're off a care case. No explanation and no reason given. It happens all the time.
Always ask for references that you can literally speak to on the phone from families a potential hire has worked for.
Ask the following questions:
1) Do they have kids? Your best bet is a hire who is older (over 40) who does not have kids they have to be home for.
2) Do they drive and have a car? Insist on both. When they don't have a car they will be unreliable.
Then be totally honest with exactly what the job is and what you expect. I can't tell you how many assignments I've been where I've been told the client is a little forgetful and maybe tinkles a little by accident. There may be a bit of light housekeeping.
The reality is they are completely out of it with violent Alzheimer's, are totally diaper-dependent incontinent, and the "light" housekeeping is a filthy, squalorous hoard.
Always be honest about exactly what the needs are and the pay. Also about the hours. I only work the hours I am hired for. I do not make special visits. I do not go and check on someone after hours. I do not take phone calls from clients who call after hours because they're bored or lonely.
Don't expect this from anyone you're hiring.
You'll be able to find yourself a good caregiver if you do these things.
hygiene is very important but that's a bit hard to understand till she starts,get one of those baby cameras there are very good ones you can hear voices as well and not expensive, what is her routine with the patient?if bedridden ,does she know how to change nappies,what to do incase of bed sores?if needed ,tube feeding ?aspirate ext..might not need yet but these things usually happens later ..
If hiring outside an agency, an independent, verify that they are licensed and bonded (verify that those are both current and in effect); check past references (although those could be friends/family acting like past clients); find out how they have been handling employment taxes (are they doing that or are you going to have to do that), and run national background checks on them (sometimes they just moved to the state and thus no history in the current state). Verify they have an vehicle and that the registration/insurance is current (especially if they may be tasked to take your parent somewhere's or do errands (pick up rx etc) for you. Check AND verify their credentials (i.e., they could show you a college degree/diploma but you know today's world...have it verified that it is legit).
And finally, no matter which path you take for hiring someone to help, remove valuables or anything else of 'value' that might be temptations. Not just obvious ones like cash, credit cards, jewelry, but other items. My mother had a lot of 'stuff' - stuff that wasn't really valuable but with sentiment. And the caretakers were careful how they stole the items - one item here and there (and rearranging the other stuff so it wasn't as noticeable....i.e., mother had a small set of 3 marble bears - about 2" tall - so small enough to blend in with their surroundings. When it was time to clear out her home, after 3 years of caretaking, only 1 bear was found...and then I started noticing other 'small' items that were missing, or small pieces of costume jewelry that I remember she had but were in her chest of drawers but not worn). I trusted the agency and their caretakers because of their good standing reputation....I shouldn't have).
He would be engaged with other people, many programs have outings or activities that come in. While many in programs like this have dementia not all do.
Another option would be checking the schedule at the local Senior Center and see if he would be interested in programs they have there.
These options would be great if he does not "need" a lot of care and the caregiver is there of companionship rather than doing caregiving duties.
I know our experience is (hopefully) an outlier, but I guess the point is that an agency isn’t always what they sell it to be. So, my advice is to ask lots of questions, even with an agency.
That is so true: some people speak way too quickly, or mumble, or sort of slide all their words together into one huge long indecipherable word, so a caregiver should take care to hire those who speak clearly and slowly enough that one’s brain can input each word.
- Ask what types of enriching activities they think would be appropriate to do with your Dad.
- Ask if they are first-aid certified and know what to do in case he falls, or has a health crisis.
- Have them provide references for the last 2 caregiving jobs. Make sure you call them.
- A background check would be essential: this isn't something you "ask" the candidate about, you will need to figure out how to get one done. Then make sure all valuables and sensitive information and devices are secured, locked up and password protected before anyone starts to work for you.
- Is this person willing to drive your father places? Do they know how to safely get someone into and out of a vehicle?
- Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
- discuss expectations about their phone usage during work time.
What is your expectation for them calling in sick and there's no sub for a private hire? Agencies can provide a sub. They also do background checks and take care of the employer tax withholding and reporting, which you may need to also do depending on what rules your state has about caregivers. In my state no caregiver is ever a "contract" worker -- they are always an employee.
I would also ask if they have had their covid shots/boosters. And they might ask if your Dad has had his.
Depending on what type of work you would want the caregiver to do, as to questions involving that work.