Hiring a Home Care Worker

Checking References

• Always call references. A reference can confirm your feelings about a person or give you important information that you missed.
• If it's a former employer, ask about her punctuality and attendance as well as the precise nature of her work. Find out why the applicant left the position, whether there were any problems. Take notes on each applicant so you can refer to them when making your decision.
• Consider paying for a criminal background check. Contact your local law enforcement agency to find out how to do this.
• Consider hiring someone for a one-month trial period before you commit to hiring her permanently. Explain that this would be an opportunity to see if this is a mutually acceptable arrangement.
• Once someone accepts your job offer, put your entire agreement in writing. Include information about the trial period, job duties, salary, pay schedule, time off, start date and termination policy. Keep copies of this job contract signed by both of you.
• Try to be at your loved one's house for the first few days to familiarize the new caregiver with the routine. Periodically, you should drop by unannounced to check on how things are going.