When home care companies are hiring caregivers, they generally take the time to make sure potential candidates have the proper licenses and certifications, but not all companies choose to do background checks. Though they’re considered optional by many people, background checks should be an essential part of screening and hiring caregivers because these professionals have several important responsibilities. Selecting a caregiving agency that understands the importance of proper background checks can protect families from these major issues.
Theft of Personal Belongings
When you hire an in-home caregiver, you’re providing access to your loved one’s private property. In the past, there have been issues with unscrupulous caregivers either pocketing cash and smaller items or using their access to plan crimes of a larger nature. Background checks can identify histories of thefts or criminal convictions that are warning signs of this problem, and a clean background check can give you greater peace of mind about letting a stranger into your loved one’s home.When you’re looking for compassionate home care for your loved one, search for agencies with highly trained, experienced caregivers. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service Des Moines families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
Emotional or Physical Abuse
A caregiver needs to be someone you can trust with a beloved family member. There have been instances of caregivers who abused seniors, either emotionally or physically. A thorough look into caregivers’ backgrounds can screen out people who’ve been accused or convicted of abuse, ensuring the people who spend so much time with your loved one have his or her best interests in mind.
Neglect
Having a caregiver who isn’t truly interested in doing his or her job well can have disastrous consequences for a senior. Make sure any caregiver is properly vetted to see if he or she has a record of ignoring a senior’s needs. This part of a background check can prevent serious issues for seniors, such as getting bed sores, becoming malnourished, or not getting proper medical treatment because their caregivers are neglecting them.If your loved one is living with a form of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, it’s even more essential to have a home caregiver you can trust. Seniors with Alzheimer’s have much to gain when their families opt for professional Alzheimer’s care. Des Moines families can rely on compassionate and dedicated caregivers to help their elderly loved ones manage the various challenges of Alzheimer’s disease so they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
Misuse of Prescribed Medications
Most caregivers end up spending a lot of time around painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, and other medications that have a high potential for misuse. Background checks can reveal any past problems with a person using or selling drugs and ward off caregivers who are just using the job as a way to access prescription medications. It can also help you find out if a caregiver has a history of mixing up medications or misusing them with a senior in his or her care.
Financial Manipulation
Since they spend so much time around their caregivers, it’s natural for seniors to grow close to them and begin to trust them. In most cases, these are heartwarming relationships that help seniors enjoy their golden years, but it can be a problem when caregivers are unscrupulous. Background checks can ensure families don’t hire caregivers who have a habit of manipulating seniors into giving them money.When searching for reliablein-home careagencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
