Tips for Having a Personal Care Assistant

Many people with disabilities and the elderly use home health care. Arranging for a personal assistant as they are now properly called can be difficult. Home care is the best option for those who are wishing to remain independent and don't need 24 hour care or observation. Community based living programs are available to those who need more help and monitoring. Obtaining funding for such care can be a long and difficult process that can vary from state to state. There some things everyone should know about before they hire an individual PA (personal assistant) or a home health agency.

Some of this advice may seem very blunt or harsh, but unfortunately it is important to follow through with people who are working in your home, and are responsible for helping maintain your health and general well- being. This is something that cannot be taken lightly no matter how hard it may be to find a good reliable PA.

I have lived independently for many years now and know how difficult it can be to find a good assistant and have been through over dozens of them because of varying reasons-ranging from lack of experience and initiative to what is known as a "no call, no show". This article will be a guide of suggestions for those seeking to hire home health aides (another term for a PA) in their homes or to assist a family member.

I will only be advising on those issues which I have personally encountered first hand. I have only ever had personal assistants for personal care and help with housekeeping. I have not often needed a PA for errands such as banking or grocery shopping. I personally feel that although these tasks can be fairly daunting given the weather, traffic, etc, are of a very personal nature to me. I believe that as long as someone is able to do a task they should.

When seeking an assistant there are many basic qualities to look for before hiring someone on full time. Most of these attributes however can't be fleshed out in the course of a twenty minute interview, make your interview(s) long and detailed ask for professional references, police clearance and/or background check, and be very observant. Were they on time for the interview? Did they phone or contact you to let you know they were going to be late or to reschedule? How far in advance did they do so? Were they patient enough to answer your questions adequately? Were they at all hesitant to produce the credentials you require? Do they seem patient? Are they attentive?

Of course you may want to add a few requirements you may have for someone to work for you. Everyone's situation is different and qualifications may need to vary however the aforementioned ones are a must in terms of personal safety. A person's health and safety is not something that can be made better (or prevented from going bad) with excuse after excuse. How they regard the interview and you and your time is sometimes a good predictor of the future.

Although there are no 100% certainties in the areas of disability and home health there are a few things you can do to help prevent some problems that may make having home help more stressful. There are very few reassurances in the world of treatment, assistive care, and disability. It can't be completely controlled in every way, it is impossible. Taking as much charge as possible of your health and your care gives you the ability to live life as comfortably as possible with your disability. This tends to give you more freedom in your lifestyle. Having a disability is only a life sentence of burden and exclusion if we allow it to be, this is not to say it is a day at Disneyland- far from it.

There will be days even with an assistant that you are in more physical pain than others, there are equipment failures or changes, you are ill or your staff person runs a bit late-which can make you late for work or an appointment. But there are a few things that can help your assistance run a bit smoother and avoid many problems:

Trial Periods- After hiring someone to assist you it may be a good idea to give them a small trial period. These can run anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This will help you figure out if the person is someone who is suited to work with you. Make them aware that you will give them a trial period and offer them a reference if it turns out they are a good PA but just aren't compatible with you and/or the envoirment of your home. Keep names and contact info of other good candidates available and start calling for interviews after about one-third the trial period if things aren't going well with your current aide. Be sure to do this on your own time to avoid divulging too much info in front of anyone you may not want to hear including your present aide.

Courtesy- Always show courtesy for your aide and their time. "Please" and "thank you" go a long way . Be on time for their visits, don't contact them outside work hours unless they are willing to be on call or it is part of their job with you. On the occasion you need assistance outside care hours, be prepared to compensate them in some way, be it monetary or allowing them to leave early one day, or staying at your home an hour or so during inclement weather and then leaving when the bad weather clears. If you are not able to provide those kinds of compensation it is always good to have someone who can help you as a back-up. This is true in any case, whether you are likely to need unexpected assistance or not. Caregivers often have long hours and don't make much money, courtesy and small kindnesses can go a long way in building a good professional relationship with your care assistant.

On the other side of the same token, your care assistant must be considerate of your time and space. If they are often late, this problem must be addressed. Set limits with how much tardiness you will allow. Be reasonable; however, take traffic, outdoor conditions, and if this situation they are coming to see you for is under normal work hours or an emergency into account.

If lateness becomes a problem, for example it occurs more than once every now and then or a few times a month; discuss this with them. Ask that they please be more aware of the fact that they are not only being late for work but it is a strain on you physically and in terms of your time. If the lateness occurs too often and becomes profuse in length or frequency despite approaching them on the subject more than twice it is time to consider finding someone new. Never allow an assistant to get away with no calling or showing up for work. Always have a back up person available.This is especially true if you need help with things that are vital to preventing infection or the health of your organs. Such things need to be taken very seriously and any lenient response to lateness could be dangerous.

House Rules- Although in some states homes may be considered health care faculties while care work is being done there is no harm in having a few simple rules in your home to make sure the lines between the personal and professional aren't blurred. For example, you may find it unacceptable that someone take personal calls while on duty. If you allow someone to use a part of your home that isn't related to their job with you it is not out of line to expect that your space and/or property are left in the same condition as when they were found. In the event something is broken, I feel there is no wrong in expecting the person to replace it, give them a reasonable amount of time to replace the item however, sixty to ninety days is a good general rule. If you have to or choose to allow your worker to bring their children, make sure to explain the rules to the kids and parent. Explain that you hope they find the work made easier and that the rules are for everyone's safety and make sure to explain to your staff person that if they bring their children it is their job to watch them and make sure they behave.

Certain things should not be tolerated such as intimidation, threats, or violence. There is no excuse for a PA to behave this way toward their clients. If it does occur fire them immediately and have a back up ready. Also report them and their actions to any agency they are associated with to your knowledge and the proper authorities.

Having a health care assistant in your home doesn't have to be a fearful or daunting experience. Although there are some things to keep in mind, having the help you need can help you live a good life with your disability. A life with dignity and peace is possible with a little diligence. Your health and safety are your responsibility, guard them carefully.