HOW TO

HIRE HELPERS

 

A Guide for Elders

And their families

 

 

The Area Agency  on

Aging of  Somerset County

1338 S. Edgewood Avenue

Somerset, PA  15501

Phone: 814-443-2681 or 1-800-452-0825

or visit us at:

www.somersetaaa.org

 

 

NOTICE

 

The information provided in this booklet is given solely as a courtesy and service to the community.  The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County makes no guarantees or representation as to the qualities, abilities, skills, or  other suitability for services of individuals that may be employed by using the information provided in this booklet.  Retention of services of an individual that is hired through the use of this booklet is at the sole risk of the consumers and/or care providers utilizing this information.

 

Revised: 2/16/07
Text Box: NOTICE The information provided in this booklet is given solely as a courtesy and service to the community. The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County makes no guarantees or representation as to the qualities, abilities, skills, or other suitability for services of individuals that may be employed by using the information provided in this booklet. Retention of services of an individual that is hired through the use of this booklet is at the sole risk of the consumers and/or care providers utilizing this information. Text Box: As a caregiver, you are one of 12 million Americans who spend all or part of their day assisting 5 million family members or friends who need help to remain at home. The help provided by you, other family members, friends and neighbors may not be enough to enable an older person to remain independent. In this case, you may have to look for other avenues of support. One of the first places you should contact is the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County at 1338 South Edgewood Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501 or phone (814) 443-2681 or 1-800-452-0825. Your family member may be eligible for services provided through the Area Agency on Aging including home support, personal care, transportation, home-delivered meals, chore and home repair, as well as legal assistance. The Area Agency on Aging can also direct you to a Senior Community Service Center, which is suitable for older persons who have minor problems with mobility and activities of daily living, or an Adult Day Care Program which serves older persons with serious limitations with mobility, dementia, or medical conditions which require daily attention. If you decide to hire a Private Pay worker, you will need to determine how much care your older relative needs. Will several hours a day be enough, does he or she need care all day until the family returns home or does your relative live alone and need around the clock care? You also need to decide what type of private care worker your loved one needs. 1. Text Box: The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County would like to offer the following tips when families consider hiring a private pay worker. Interview the applicant on the phone. Explain what type of help you need Ask where the person was employed previously and what type of work was performed. Arrange for a home interview, and ask the applicant to bring 2-3 work references with current information at that time. Conduct a home interview. Have another person present with you at the interview. Explain exact duties, hours, days and salary with the applicant. Describe when and how the salary is paid. Request a copy of valid ID, photo, and Social Security number if hired. Discuss who will provide lunch or dinner plus snacks. If shopping is required, discuss whose car, gas and insurance will be used. What are my responsibilities? Get proof of citizenship or work authorization. Keep copies in your files. Keep track of your worker’s hours You may need to pay into Social Security for the employee. Check with your accountant or tax professional for assistance. You should have coverage for liability for the employee through your homeowners insurance or Workers Compensation. Write a contract that lists the details of the care arrangement. 2. Text Box: How do I Supervise? Keep track of your worker’s hours. Require notification if the worker is late or cannot come. Complement help. Be sure to communicate with your worker. If things are not going as expected, talk to the worker immediately and tell him or her what you want done. Be specific. How do I Terminate? Include in your contract that either party may terminate the arrangement at any time. If you are using an agency to obtain help, ask the company for another worker and explain why the current worker is unacceptable. If you have hired independently, tell the worker “I (or my family members and I) have made other arrangements. Other recommendations Do not lend or borrow money from your Private Pay worker! Do not give wages or salary in advance! Ask a friend or relative to drop by unannounced occasionally during the worker’s hours. Keep your valuables in a safe place. Trust your good judgment. 3. Text Box: Special Points to Consider: If the older person needs to be transferred from a wheelchair, make sure the Private Pay worker knows how to do this safely. Do not try to hire someone on a 7-day-a-week basis. No employee can remain a good employee for long if they do not have time for their personal needs and interests. Additionally, Private Pay workers who live in or sleep over cannot be expected to be on call 24-hours a day. If your older relative needs frequent help or supervision during the night, you should hire a second Private Pay worker or have a family member fill in. If your older relative needs a considerable amount of help, live-in help may be available which can be less expensive than hourly or per day employees. It also is important to ensure that the aide has their own living quarters, and that they have some free time during the day, sufficient time to sleep, and days off. References: When hiring a Private Pay worker, it is important to list the job tasks and to ask applicants to check those they are willing to perform. You should also discuss: full name address phone number date of birth Social security number Continued…. 4. Text Box: Text Box: educational background work history and references Thoroughly check references. Ask for the names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of employment for previous employers, and be sure to contact them. If there are substantial time gaps in their employer references, this could indicate they have worked for people who were not satisfied with their performance. It is best to talk directly to former employers rather than accepting letters of recommendation. With the applicants permission, conduct a criminal background check. NOTICE The information provided in this booklet is given solely as a courtesy and service to the community. The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County makes no guarantees or representation as to the qualities, abilities, skills, or other suitability for services of individuals that may be employed by using the information provided in this booklet. Retention of services of an individual that is hired through the use of this booklet is at the sole risk of the consumers and/or care providers utilizing this information. 5.