Anyone with experience hiring a sitter/nurse

Why not have your mother move in with you?

I tried that. It was too disorienting for her. She cried to go home from the moment she got here and threatened to call the police on me because she forgot I was her daughter (for that moment).

She wants to be in her home.
It's where she's comfortable and what she knows.
Her loss of vision makes this more difficult for her in my opinion.

Ask for references of at least the last 2-3 families they have worked for. Talk to all family members, not just the patient that the nurse worked for.
Be certain to ask if the nurse minds being videotaped throughout the day (whether you install camera's or not) and watch her reaction carefully.
My daughter works in Hospice care and she prefers to be recorded with her patients, it protects the patients rights as well as her own.
I completely understand your worries and concern for your mother and wish you and yours only the best.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I wouldn't have thought of that!
Great advice.

I've read that many Alzheimers patients are mean, but my mom is very sweet. The thought of anyone being mean to her ...well, I can't even imagine.

And thank you for the well wishes. We'll get through this, somehow.
*hugs*

Trust is paramount,try a credible in home support agency ask to speak with clients for references.Eventually you may have to claim power of attorney and handle her affairs directly.Is there a college nearby,if so place an ad.


Search
VNAA,Visiting Nurse Associations of America




Sincerely

I went through a similar situation with my Mom.

If it's possible, it would be good if you could interview a few of the potential candidates with your Mom to see how they interact.

My brother and I have joint power of attorney. He pays all the bills for now.

More so than a nurse, I'm looking for someone to help her remember to bathe, although she can bathe herself, she just can't remember to do so and to take her on walks, or just to talk to her and to give my brother some down time to do things for himself.

Actually, there is a small Jr. College very near her home.
Another good idea! I'll look in to that next week. Great idea!

She's not ill, she actually very healthy. She still thinks she can visit her neighbors and she trys to wander off, even with the vision impairment. There are some ponds on the property and we're worried she'll fall in one or get lost out in the woods. We've recently put special locks on the doors so she can't get out without my brother's knowledge.

Thank you responding. I genuinely appreciate it. I'm trying to cover all my bases here. Thanks again...

Yes, ET...Absolutely.

I've now got 9 interviews set up for next weekend. Those who have immediately asked to meet my mom impressed me the most. Those who just ask how many hours, what days, and what's the pay don't impress me as much.

This won't be a difficult job...it's more of a companion type of position. As she worsens, I'll have to look at other options and/or candidates.

Thank you, sweetie. *li'l hug*

Hospice in her area could probably give you some recommendations also.

I saw Gavin DeBecker on Oprah recently, he wrote a book called the Gift of Fear, good book. Anyway, he said you should ask when hiring a caretaker if they had ever abused a patient before, they may not tell you the truth, but he says you will hear good info in how they answer the question. Good luck.

Wow...definitely not a question I would not have thought to ask. It will be difficult to ask that question, but you know, it's a really good idea. I would imagine that anyone with nothing to hide would repsond quickly and adamantly in a negative manner. I can do that.

Thank you so much.

Hey had to comment on this since i am a licensed care home owner and employ workers in this field. first and formost its best to be asking for licensing creds. do they have fundemntals of cargiving certs CPR=Firstaide, food handlers permit? although to care for one person privately these are not always required by states laws
But do check if they have any of these certifications.



Rush

Certifications and credentials...hadn't even thought of that.

Thank you for the reminder...will do.

No matter what you do in the front end you will have to watch the caregiver like a hawk...once she/he is in your mothers place. Not to sound too cynical but I would take and inventory of the contents of the house. Anything that is remotely valuable you may want to take out. As for the day to day stuff. You will want to know if they have a b/g friend and would they ever expect them to come over to the house. You will want to establish a policy on the use of cell phone and the TV/internet while they are on duty.

Lastly be very clear about the employment conditions we had a person that filed for unemployment after my grandmother passed god forbid this does happen to you. You will have to think of this person as an employee and condition you mother to think of them as such and not a new found family member.

It does seem like the best avenue is a service as then you will have someone they report to and can intervene without you having to be the hammer. Best of luck my parents are ambling down this road as well just cant get my sister to see they need more help then the two of them can provide for each other.

Op, most people are decent and law abiding. Sure there's a few bad apples but trust your gut feeling and hire someone that you would like to take care of you if you were in your mom's shoes.

It'll be fine.