Any advice for trusting a home companion to come into my house for several hours a week?

I, too, had concerns just in general. I don't have antiques or anything of real value, but just the thought of strangers in my house kind of unnerved me. First make sure you use a professional agency that the employees are bonded and insured. Second, see if you can have someone come by when you are there and get to know them. Third, see if you can get the same person each time. Gradually, I was so happy to see the aide that I wasn't worried about my stuff. However, like others have said, if you are worried about specific items, just move them to a room where you can put a lock on the door. Easy to change the doorknob to one that locks. I guess you could also install a camera system so that you could keep an eye on things.

I have antiques around my home, too, but unless whomever comes into the house is completely knowledgably about antiques, they wouldn't know a quality antique from old junk. Just don't keep jewelry, stocks, bonds, cash laying around the house.... that would make anyone who comes into your house to work feel uneasy to see that stuff out in the open.

It is so sad that there is this stereotype that caregivers or any type of tradesperson or workers are going to steal :(

I agree that you should go through an agency where the employees have had background checks and are bonded and insured.

In our community, caregivers are recommended by families where they have worked and their loved one recently died. I got a phone call from a neighbor who's husband died and his caregiver was looking for her next client. I snatched her up that night for my mom's caregiver because she was highly recommended BUT I still use caution and lock up my checkbooks and important papers.

Lock up all the goodies that someone can grab-and-run.

Good comments above. You never know about people. If you install a camera, you probably would be the most safe. However, if not, I would make sure you don't leave any mail out or check books. People can sneak a check out of order and you may not notice one is missing until you catch it on your statement or the bank calls you with a questionable check someone has passed.

Also, people can get social security numbers off of various documents and steal your identification and use it to get their own credit cards.So, I'd lock up all documents and mail.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are a variety of types of investigative searches that can be used by potential employers. Many commercial sites will offer specific searches to employers for a fee. Services like these will actually perform the checks, supply the company with adverse action letters, and ensure compliance throughout the process.

It is important to be selective about which pre-employment screening agency one uses. A legitimate company will be happy to explain the process. Many employers choose to search the most common records such as criminal records, driving records, and education verification. Other searches such as sex offender registry, credential verification, skills assessment, reference checks, credit reports and Patriot Act searches are becoming increasingly common. Employers should consider the position in question when determining which types of searches to include, and should always use the same searches for every applicant being considered for one.
Possible information included

The amount of information included on a background check depends to a large degree on the sensitivity of the reason for which it is conducted—e.g., somebody seeking employment at a minimum wage job would be subject to far fewer requirements than somebody applying to work for a law enforcement agency such as the FBI or jobs related to national security.

Criminal, arrest, incarceration, and sex offender records

There are several types of criminal record searches available to employers, some more accurate and up to date than others. These "third party" background checking agencies cannot guarantee the accuracy of their information, thus many of them have incomplete records or inaccurate records. The only way to conduct an accurate background check is to go directly through the state. Most times using the state of choice is much cheaper than using a "third party" agency. Many websites offer the "instant" background check, which will search a compilation of databases containing public information for a fee. These "instant" searches originate from a variety of sources, from statewide court and corrections records to law enforcement records which usually stem from county or metro law enforcement offices. There are also other database-type criminal searches, such as statewide repositories and the national crime file. A commonly used criminal search by employers who outsource is the county criminal search.
Citizenship, immigration, or legal working status

The hiring of undocumented workers has become an issue for American businesses since the forming of the Department of Homeland Security and its Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division. Many history making immigration raids[12] over the past two years have forced employers to consider including legal working status as part of their background screening process. All employers are required to keep government Form I-9 documents on all employees and some states mandate the use of the federal E-Verify program to research the working status of Social Security numbers. With increased concern for right-to-work issues, many outsourcing companies are sprouting in the marketplace to help automate and store Form I-9 documentation. Some jobs are only available to citizens who are residents of that country due to security concerns.

Litigation records
Employers may want to identify potential employees who routinely file discrimination lawsuits. It has also been alleged that in the U.S., employers that do work for the government do not like to hire whistleblowers who have a history of filing qui tam suits.

Driving and vehicle records
Employers that routinely hire drivers or are in the transportation sector seek drivers with clean driving records—i.e., those without a history of accidents or traffic tickets. Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Transportation records are searched to determine a qualified driver.

Drug tests
Drug tests are used for a variety of reasons—corporate ethics, measuring potential employee performance, and keeping workers' compensation premiums down.

Education records
These are used primarily to see if the potential employee had graduated from high school (or a GED) or received a college degree, graduate degree, or some other accredited university degree. There are reports of SAT scores being requested by employers as well.

Employment records
These usually range from simple verbal confirmations of past employment and timeframe to deeper, such as discussions about performance, activities and accomplishments, and relations with others.

Financial information
Credit history, liens, civil judgments, bankruptcy, and tax information may be included in the report.

Licensing records
A government authority that has some oversight over professional conduct of its licensees will also maintain records regarding the licensee, such as personal information, education, complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
Medical, Mental, and Physiological evaluation and records

These records are generally not available to consumer reporting agencies, background screening firms, or any other investigators without documented, written consent of the applicant, consumer or employee.

Military records
Although not as common today as it was in the past fifty years, employers frequently requested the specifics of one's military discharge.

Polygraph testing
Those seeking employment in the government relating in a field of national security, law enforcement, or other field of safety or security may look into a persons background not disclosed in applications. Those who fail a polygraph test may not be selected. In the United State laws regarding the use are under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

Social Security Number
(or equivalent outside the US). A fraudulent SSN may be indicative of identity theft, insufficient citizenship, or concealment of a "past life". Background screening firms usually perform a Social Security trace to determine where the applicant or employee has lived.

Other interpersonal interviews
Employers may investigate past employment to verify position and salary information. More intensive checks can involve interviews with anybody that knew or previously knew the applicant—such as teachers, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members; however, extensive hearsay investigations in background checks can expose companies to lawsuits. Past employment and personal reference verifications are moving toward standardization with most companies in order to avoid expensive litigation.

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IMCO hire through known agencies, ask how they vet employees, Are employees employed by the agency? Ask for specific details about insurance

You have to treat people with a modicum of trust until they have shown themselves to be untrustworthy. Otherwise they become wary and suspicious of you. Workers, even if strangers, pick up on employers' attitudes quite fast; they are sentient, thinking creatures and know if you are paranoid and regard them as would-be thieves. Even dogs pick up on such attitudes. If you want to get the best out of a worker, you need to have the courage to trust them. Personally, I find trusting people works; the number of people who cheated me in the course of my small business operation was so small that it didn't matter compared to the benefits of getting the best out of the large majority of people who were trustworthy. Most people will be trustworthy if you treat them right. But if you treat them like criminals, you will draw the worse out of them. A relationship with a worker goes two ways. Some common sense and a little kindness goes a long way.
If you think this is "mean", then so be it. I stand by my words and my experience.

I truly appreciate all the responses I have received from my question thus far. As I’m currently in the process of narrowing down a list of home health agencies that I’ve already contacted, I realize this can be a challenging and daunting task of selecting one, and ultimately the “right” person, who I hope and pray will meet my mother’s and my needs. Due to stories I’ve heard from other friends and family, I have very valid reasons and concerns for allowing someone to come into and remain in my home while I’m not here. I cannot possibly pack up or lock up everything; I do know that valuables such as money, checkbooks, paperwork, etc. needs to be put away. I’m fully aware of the importance of licensed and bonded, background checks, referrals, etc.

Movingup, I’d like you to know that I stopped working several years ago to care for my mother alone after she began to change cognitively following major surgery. I’m probably one of the most self-sacrificing, compassionate, loyal daughters you’d ever meet in your life. I have treated plumbers, electricians, painters, home improvement, gardening people, etc. with utmost respect and am a very kind, likeable person. All these years I’ve had very little help or assistance “doing it all.” My reason for coming to this forum was for some extra advice and tips, and I found yours to be quite heartless. To infer that I have a hostile attitude, or that I shouldn’t consider even volunteering to work with the elderly, are some of the cruelest things one could ever say to me. Please refrain from improperly and unfairly judging me, and please “move on.”

As an administrator of a personal assistance service I am saddened by the stories of individuals who have had bad experiences with caregivers. I remember speaking to a potential client for 45 minutes about what we do to reduce the chances of our clients becoming victims of caregivers we put into their private homes. She was very fearful to say the least. However, she was the caregiver for her spouse and she was clearly stressed out. When you HAVE to hire a service or individual to provide care to your loved one do what's necessary to put your mind at ease. If that means installing cameras, or putting valuables away then do it. What's of utmost importance is your comfort level. Get the support that you need as safely as possible. Yes, a reputable agency will perform criminal background checks, drug testing, competency testing, training, etc. to screen potential employees and select the best caregivers they possibly can. Our employees are bonded and insured also. So do your homework, but also get the support that you need to provide your loved one the best care possible.