Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
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I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
Unless you have Mother Theresa as your caregiver there is always the potential that anyone is going to be dishonest. Background checks are only as good as what is reported...and convictions.
The 2 BEST caregivers I hired I got through my local Community College. They had just completed the CNA certification and were waiting for the Nursing program to begin. I knew background checks had been done since the requirement for the CNA cert is they have to do Clinical Work in a Facility in order to complete the course. They did pass another check.
At some point you have to give up some part of your personal privacy.
Cameras are great. They can be placed anywhere except in areas where privacy would be expected. Bathroom, bedroom (of the caregiver if this is needed) video is ok but check with your State's regulations about Audio, some States require 2 party consent.
If you hire privately I suggest that you hire at least 2 people so that if one is sick you have a back up. And Burnout does happen so having 2 people eases that a bit. The 2 I hired worked out what days each wanted that fit with their schedule. Also think about all the paperwork to hiring privately VS an Agency. They handle all that. On the Plus side, if you hire privately you can instruct the caregiver to give medication, most agencies will not allow a caregiver to administer meds if the person can not take them themselves. (you would have to place medication in a container the caregiver could hand to your mom but she would have to pick it up and take it.) If medications are needed an agency would have to provide someone that is more trained to give meds.
Oh..not that this needs to be said but Lock up any and all personal information. Get a safe and use it.
The question is 'how' to fine reliable, truth worthy caregivers. How to interview and what to do: 1. Consider cameras 2. Create a list of interview questions - so you ask every person the same questions. 3. Ask for verifiable references, both work and personal. 4a. Ask to see DI (write # or take a photo). 4b. Ask for copy of their car insurance 5. Ask them to get a criminal check (their expense) - I had to do this three times (IHSS, massage certification, memory care unit) 6. Go through an agency as they screen (although you also need to do) 7. Ask what their experience is. 8. "Test" them leaving a $5 or $10 bill out and see if it is missing after they leave. (Consider loved one could have taken it.) 9. Ask questions that could show their personal integrity. 10. Create a 'to do' list and give them a copy; go over it with them in a week and/or for first few weeks to ensure they understand what they are supposed to do. 11. Ask for personal referrals (ask people at church and organizations you are affiliated with. . 12. Lock up valuables. (This should be listed first)
Many of these points will not ascertain the level of trust / honesty although it is a good start. You need to also use your intuition. Cameras certainly might be a good investment. It also allows you to watch your loved one.
Lock up all valuables was a high recommendation who was rich and was a quad from a C 2 fracture when she was a teen. She lived with only caregivers for 40 plus years
We had the usual concerns about what was essentially a stranger entering my dad’s home, and he only reluctantly agreed to get out of moving to assisted living. I interviewed three ladies before finding a great one. She was a CNA who’d been corrected at times in nursing home work for not moving through patients fast enough. She proved a godsend and quickly alleviated dad’s concerns. We still made sure in advance that valuables and cash were removed from the house, and checked in often. I watched, and then took over, the finances to make sure there weren’t any issues. Take common sense precautions and stay involved, but yes, there are great helpers out there. I wish you well in finding help
My friends decided to age in place and their amazing insurance provided 24/7 in home care. They adored their caregivers. It worked out really well for them and did not harm them financially. I'm pretty sure they went through a service.
Having a Caregiver in the home was a good experience. We used people word-of-mouth from the neighborhood that were the best. My mom needed 24/7 care. There were some that were not so good but for the most part, they were excellent. I bought Waze cameras from Amazon and put them in a couple of rooms and checked what was going on throughout the day. The caregivers knew the cameras were in the house. We did not leave anything of value in the house. The best to you!
- they vet the aids (background checks) - they do all the employer paperwork (which you will need to do if you privately hire someone: withhold/quarterly reporting, W2, benefits, liability insurance) - provide subs often on the same day - can screen for requested level of skills (fall risk, dispensing meds, etc) - has ultimate responsibility if something goes wrong with the aid (theft, inappropriate behavior, etc) - will work with the client to provide an aid with the right "chemistry"
Yes, agency aids are very expensive but there are costs and headaches to privately hiring as well.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Background checks are only as good as what is reported...and convictions.
The 2 BEST caregivers I hired I got through my local Community College. They had just completed the CNA certification and were waiting for the Nursing program to begin.
I knew background checks had been done since the requirement for the CNA cert is they have to do Clinical Work in a Facility in order to complete the course.
They did pass another check.
At some point you have to give up some part of your personal privacy.
Cameras are great.
They can be placed anywhere except in areas where privacy would be expected. Bathroom, bedroom (of the caregiver if this is needed)
video is ok but check with your State's regulations about Audio, some States require 2 party consent.
If you hire privately I suggest that you hire at least 2 people so that if one is sick you have a back up. And Burnout does happen so having 2 people eases that a bit. The 2 I hired worked out what days each wanted that fit with their schedule.
Also think about all the paperwork to hiring privately VS an Agency. They handle all that.
On the Plus side, if you hire privately you can instruct the caregiver to give medication, most agencies will not allow a caregiver to administer meds if the person can not take them themselves. (you would have to place medication in a container the caregiver could hand to your mom but she would have to pick it up and take it.) If medications are needed an agency would have to provide someone that is more trained to give meds.
Oh..not that this needs to be said but Lock up any and all personal information.
Get a safe and use it.
How to interview and what to do:
1. Consider cameras
2. Create a list of interview questions - so you ask every person the same questions.
3. Ask for verifiable references, both work and personal.
4a. Ask to see DI (write # or take a photo).
4b. Ask for copy of their car insurance
5. Ask them to get a criminal check (their expense) - I had to do this three times (IHSS, massage certification, memory care unit)
6. Go through an agency as they screen (although you also need to do)
7. Ask what their experience is.
8. "Test" them leaving a $5 or $10 bill out and see if it is missing after they leave. (Consider loved one could have taken it.)
9. Ask questions that could show their personal integrity.
10. Create a 'to do' list and give them a copy; go over it with them in a week and/or for first few weeks to ensure they understand what they are supposed to do.
11. Ask for personal referrals (ask people at church and organizations you are affiliated with. .
12. Lock up valuables. (This should be listed first)
Many of these points will not ascertain the level of trust / honesty although it is a good start. You need to also use your intuition. Cameras certainly might be a good investment. It also allows you to watch your loved one.
Gena / Touch Matters
We did not leave anything of value in the house. The best to you!
- they vet the aids (background checks)
- they do all the employer paperwork (which you will need to do if you privately hire someone: withhold/quarterly reporting, W2, benefits, liability insurance)
- provide subs often on the same day
- can screen for requested level of skills (fall risk, dispensing meds, etc)
- has ultimate responsibility if something goes wrong with the aid (theft, inappropriate behavior, etc)
- will work with the client to provide an aid with the right "chemistry"
Yes, agency aids are very expensive but there are costs and headaches to privately hiring as well.