Hiring a Home Help Company: What to Consider

Living independently is a vital part of the lives of many people with disabilities and the elderly. Many people with physical obstacles due to age or disability hire (often through the help of state programs due to astronomical costs) staff from home help companies. These staff people often assist with everything from housework to daily personal care. I have eight years personal experience in this topic as I have cerebral palsy, use a wheelchair full time, and have used home help services most of that time.

As many good agencies as there are in this field, there are just as many bad ones with careless attitudes and ill intentions. These types of companies truly do not see people as human beings that need help but as dollar signs with limbs. That may seem like a harsh assessment but some home help companies don't have the most stringent hiring standards.

One very important thing to investigate is whether the company you're thinking of hiring has all the qualifications required by not just you but your state. Some companies take advantage of the fact that most people who may be hiring them could be at their wit's end after months of failed interviews and other hiring efforts that failed through no fault of their own.

Knowing this, companies will even go so far as to lie about the certifications they and their employees carry. ALWAYS ask for proof of any certification of any special training they claim to have or require their staff people to have. It may seem as though you will never need someone to perform CPR or administer medication but health situations do arise where emergency help is needed. Make sure your staff people have CPR training and first aid training at a minimum.

If you have to trust a staff member with money, run a background check before hiring them. Be it cash, a check,credit or ATM card or objects of value, make sure you can trust the caregiver. Be observant of behavior. Is the person a bit too curious about your finances or material possessions? Is the person far too friendly, too quickly? Be watchful of your belongings.

Much more important than things are your health and safety. If a staff member is ever threatening or physically violent, make private arrangements to replace them as soon as possible. Have a back-up caregiver available if possible. Be sure to report any problems to the company and the proper authorities immediately.

This article is not meant to disparage any home help company or worker. There are many wonderful and caring people who work in home health care. There are however people who are only in the profession for all the wrong reasons, be careful.