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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:
I'm trying to decide which route to go for hiring in-home care for my mom. Are there any other options (besides home care agencies and hiring on my own)?
I would only go through an agency, because they are licensed and insured. Plus, you don't have to withhold taxes, pay SS, or buy health insurance for them.
sjrbeanie - any reputable agency will perform background checks and the aides will be their employees not 1099. Ask questions and to the agency would arrange for you to speak to current or past clients regarding their experience working with the company. The other thing to consider is, with a reputable agency, you will have the ability to say I want a different aide or if your aide is ill a replacement will be found to fill in. Good luck, there are some unscrupulous agencies out there but there are also great ones!
This is from Cindy Laverty recently posted: Don't Hire a Caregiver Until You Read This! You finally made the decision to hire a caregiver from an agency rather than the classified ads or Craigslist. You did this because you assumed that agencies screen, perform background checks, drug test caregivers, ensure citizenship and train their caregivers to perform the necessary tasks needed to be a caregiver, including receiving a certification in First Aid and CPR.
Well…think again! A new study (published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, July 13, 2012 issue), led by Dr. Lee Lindquist of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine finds that nearly half of the agencies that send caregivers to help seniors in need do a poor job of screening, testing and training the caregivers they hire. The study reveals that many agencies recruit random strangers off Craigslist and place them in the homes of elders suffering from dementia, or long-term illness. The findings are disturbing to say the least.
According to Dr. Lindquist, a geriatrician, “Some of the paid caregivers are so unqualified it’s scary and really puts the senior at risk.”
Northwestern researchers posed as consumers and surveyed 180 agencies around the country. Their findings are pretty astounding: • Only 55% of the agencies did a federal background check and many agencies didn’t check for any type of criminal record. • Only 1/3 of the agencies did any type of drug testing. That means that paid caregivers who might have a drug problem have access to a senior’s medications. • Only one in three agencies test their caregivers’ skills or do any kind of home visit to check on performance. (So much for CPR and First Aid competency) • Two-thirds of the agencies advertise that their caregivers could assist with financial transactions, such as bill paying. • And sadly, many agencies appeared to lie about their screening practices by making up assessments that do not even exist. You might be wondering how this happens? Simply put: it’s because caregiving agencies are not regulated. The typical caregiver is a female immigrant earning $7.25 per hour on average and $5.44 per hour for live-in work. It’s a dreadful situation.
When you are interviewing a caregiving agency ask the following 10 questions. If they balk at any of your questions, move on! 1. How do you recruit caregivers, and what are your hiring requirements? 2. What types of screenings are performed on caregivers before you hire them? A federal or state criminal background check? Drug screening? Other? (Record the answers and research to make sure these screenings are authentic.) 3. Are caregivers certified in CPR or do they have any health-related training? (Ask for physical proof.) 4. Are the caregivers insured and bonded through your agency? (Ask for physical proof.) 5. What competencies are expected of the caregiver? (These could include lifting and transfers, homemaking skills and personal care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting and training in behavioral management. This person is going to take care of your loved one. You must be on top of this process. ) 6. How does the agency assess what the caregiver is capable of doing? (Make sure the agency is not just relying on the caregiver’s word that they have certain skills.) 7. What is the policy on providing a substitute caregiver if a regular caregiver cannot provide the contracted services? 8. If there is dissatisfaction with a particular caregiver, will a substitute be provided and may I interview this person in advance? 9. Does the agency provide a supervisor to evaluate the quality of home care on a regular basis? How frequently? 10. Does supervision occur over the telephone, through progress reports or in-person at the home of the older adult? (I always recommend that families make sure that the caregiver writes an hourly report and keeps track of all phone calls or door-to-door solicitors.)
This is a scary report, but the good news is that it has received a huge amount of media attention and now agencies are on notice. They will have to change their ways or go out of business. As a consumer you must be an absolute Empowered Advocate on behalf of your loved one.
i think hiring a caregiver through an agency is a better option because whenever you feel that the current caregiver is not doing well or you are not satisfied with him, you can always ask the agency to provide a new caregiver.
As mentioned earlier, do your due diligence. The agency should be liscenced bonded, insured and do background checks and hire skilled caregivers. Always ask for references and then CALL THEM! Ensure there is good screening in place and a good interview process between you, your loved one, the Agency and the caregiver to ensure there is a good personality match. Make sure all responsibilities, care expectations, fees, vacation, hrs, expenses, etc are clearly outlined in writing. Understand insurance, liability, and emergency info. If you can, ask for weekly updates or written reports. Check in as often as you can while everyone gets aquainted. Remember to be patient and listen to both sides of the story when there is conflict during the adjustment period.
I like the idea of an agency because you have options and backup in case of emergency.
There is always risk, especially if you can't manage locally.
The most important indicator can be solid trusted references. By all means, see if you can visit with former clients or their family members.
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.
Don't Hire a Caregiver Until You Read This!
You finally made the decision to hire a caregiver from an agency rather than the classified ads or Craigslist. You did this because you assumed that agencies screen, perform background checks, drug test caregivers, ensure citizenship and train their caregivers to perform the necessary tasks needed to be a caregiver, including receiving a certification in First Aid and CPR.
Well…think again! A new study (published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, July 13, 2012 issue), led by Dr. Lee Lindquist of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine finds that nearly half of the agencies that send caregivers to help seniors in need do a poor job of screening, testing and training the caregivers they hire. The study reveals that many agencies recruit random strangers off Craigslist and place them in the homes of elders suffering from dementia, or long-term illness. The findings are disturbing to say the least.
According to Dr. Lindquist, a geriatrician, “Some of the paid caregivers are so unqualified it’s scary and really puts the senior at risk.”
Northwestern researchers posed as consumers and surveyed 180 agencies around the country. Their findings are pretty astounding:
• Only 55% of the agencies did a federal background check and many agencies didn’t check for any type of criminal record.
• Only 1/3 of the agencies did any type of drug testing. That means that paid caregivers who might have a drug problem have access to a senior’s medications.
• Only one in three agencies test their caregivers’ skills or do any kind of home visit to check on performance. (So much for CPR and First Aid competency)
• Two-thirds of the agencies advertise that their caregivers could assist with financial transactions, such as bill paying.
• And sadly, many agencies appeared to lie about their screening practices by making up assessments that do not even exist.
You might be wondering how this happens? Simply put: it’s because caregiving agencies are not regulated. The typical caregiver is a female immigrant earning $7.25 per hour on average and $5.44 per hour for live-in work. It’s a dreadful situation.
When you are interviewing a caregiving agency ask the following 10 questions. If they balk at any of your questions, move on!
1. How do you recruit caregivers, and what are your hiring requirements?
2. What types of screenings are performed on caregivers before you hire them? A federal or state criminal background check? Drug screening? Other? (Record the answers and research to make sure these screenings are authentic.)
3. Are caregivers certified in CPR or do they have any health-related training? (Ask for physical proof.)
4. Are the caregivers insured and bonded through your agency? (Ask for physical proof.)
5. What competencies are expected of the caregiver? (These could include lifting and transfers, homemaking skills and personal care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting and training in behavioral management. This person is going to take care of your loved one. You must be on top of this process. )
6. How does the agency assess what the caregiver is capable of doing? (Make sure the agency is not just relying on the caregiver’s word that they have certain skills.)
7. What is the policy on providing a substitute caregiver if a regular caregiver cannot provide the contracted services?
8. If there is dissatisfaction with a particular caregiver, will a substitute be provided and may I interview this person in advance?
9. Does the agency provide a supervisor to evaluate the quality of home care on a regular basis? How frequently?
10. Does supervision occur over the telephone, through progress reports or in-person at the home of the older adult? (I always recommend that families make sure that the caregiver writes an hourly report and keeps track of all phone calls or door-to-door solicitors.)
This is a scary report, but the good news is that it has received a huge amount of media attention and now agencies are on notice. They will have to change their ways or go out of business. As a consumer you must be an absolute Empowered Advocate on behalf of your loved one.
I like the idea of an agency because you have options and backup in case of emergency.
There is always risk, especially if you can't manage locally.
The most important indicator can be solid trusted references. By all means, see if you can visit with former clients or their family members.