5 Tips to finding a good in-home caregiver in Portland

It is no lie that a good in-home caregiver can be hard to find and they are a true blessing. There are multiple reasons why someone would have a caregiver go into their homes. Having a responsible caregiver also allows you to be able to go to work and accomplish things that you normally wouldn’t be able to because you are tending to your loved one.

There are a few ways to find the best in-home caregiver and here are a few tips.

1. What certifications does the caregiver have?

When interviewing the caregivers one of the first questions to ask is what certifications do they have. Are they certified in CPR or first aid? These are important things to know and if needed in an emergency you want the caregiver to be able to provide the proper care. There will be times when emergencies arise and when they do you do not want to find out that the caregiver has no idea what to do.

2. What experience does the caregiver have?

The caregiver may have only provided care for the very young or very old. Although the job is caregiving, there are major differences between providing care for different ages. Those who provided care for the young may not have a clue what for an elderly person may need help. Working with the elderly requires a distinct set of skills including lifting and bathroom help. The elderly may also need to have help getting exercise even if they do not want to.

For those who are used to caregiving for younger children, this is a blessing if you have small children. These are the in-home caregivers that have been trained in working with young children. Although it may sound easy, spending time with and keeping small children occupied can be tons of work. The patience and love your children receive will help them form a foundation for life.

Having an in-home caregiver is having the best of both worlds. There is no having to take the children or elderly out in the cold at all different times of the day and night. If you happen to be called into work there is someone available to watch the children. Having a caregiver allows for more freedom than having a caregiver that provides care outside of the home.

3. What is the expected pay?

When interviewing your caregivers ask how much pay they are expecting per hour. You need to remember that certain states have laws when it comes to hiring in-home caregivers. Be sure to look up your local laws when hiring someone to work for you. If the caregiver is expecting too much in the way of payment then you will have to interview others.

Before you even begin interviewing you must have a budget and be able to stick to it. If you want to be able to afford the in-home care then you should find a caregiver who fits into your budget.

4. What is expected of the caregiver?

It is important to have open communication with the caregiver so that the person is not guessing at what is expected of them. Is it just the caregiving or is there some housework involved? Are there chores that you expect them to do while you are away? If so, it is best to put it down in writing just in case there are any differences in the future.

5. Searching in your area.

There are many ways to search for in-home caregivers. For example: When searching for a caregiver in the Portland area that search was performed on the Internet using ‘in-home caregivers in Portland’. By taking your time and doing the research you will find that perfect caregiver.