So, you decided your loved one needs a caregiver…what’s next? Where do you find one? How do you choose the right fit?

Lori Williams is not only a senior living expert with 17 years of experience in the industry, but she is also a caregiver for her husband who had a stroke. She has the perspective of helping others find the right resources while navigating this reality for her own family.  

With this unique position, she has gathered 7 tips for choosing a caregiver:

1. Understand the needs of your loved one. Do they have dementia? Find someone with relevant experience. Which tasks do you need help with? Also, figure out if you need someone only a few hours a week, or a few hours each day.

2. Know your finances. If you don’t have Medicare, you may be paying out of pocket. Consider what you can reasonably afford. Read your long-term care policy or contact your agent to make sure you understand financial limitations.

3. Involve your family. Make sure everyone’s on board with a caregiver. Communicate with them if you’ve been the caregiver up to this point and you’re burning out.

4. Decide on an agency vs. a private caregiver. Ask around at your church or in your social groups for recommendations. There are also franchises, but those tend to be pricier than local options and may require a minimum amount of time per day or week.

5. Ask others about their experience. Look at online reviews and see what people are saying about certain agencies.

6. Interview the candidate. Find a fit for your needs – and consider personality too! This could be someone that spends a lot of time with your family. Do you have a dog? Make sure they’re okay with dogs.

7. Communicate with your loved one and have a plan. It may be hard for your loved one to accept they need a caregiver. Present your plan and tell them it’s for their safety and your own well-being as well.

Topics discussed:

- Hiring a caregiver / home care

- Caregiver considerations

- Long-term care provisions

- Home care agencies

- Private caregivers

- Home care reviews

- Caregiver rates

Takeaways from this episode:

- Know if your loved ones have a pension, what their expenses are, and anything else that can impact your plan for hiring a caregiver.

- Consider reverse-mortgaging your home to access more funds.

- If your loved one is a veteran, there are different VA programs such as aid and attendance. Some agencies even have a contract with the VA to cover home care.  

- Big-name home care franchises tend to be more expensive, depending on your state, and can be $30-35 per hour. A private caregiver averages $25 an hour.

- Home care may require a minimum amount of time with you – for example, 4 hours a day, 12 hours a week.

- Have a plan in place before telling your loved one about home help coming in. Stand firm if adding help to your life is something you need to feel safe.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Caregiver Burnout? These 6 Realistic Tips will help you support caregivers better:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/3ea79d8f/155-caregiver-burnout-these-6-realistic-tips-will-help-you-support-caregivers-better

Reverse mortages: https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/496a46e6/137-reverse-mortgages-explained

How to Pay for Senior Living: https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/251098f0/115-how-to-pay-for-senior-living