Preparing for Home Care: Important Questions to Ask Your Caregiver

There may come a time in your golden years when you recognize that you need more help to live independently at home. Fortunately, reputable home care companies, such as Visiting Angels Fort Worth, are committed to providing trained and compassionate caregivers who prioritize the well-being and comfort of their clients.

When seniors choose Visiting Angels Fort Worth for their elderly care needs, they can rest assured that they partner with a company that thoroughly vets potential caregivers. We run extensive background checks, including criminal history checks. We then provide initial and ongoing training to ensure that our caregivers always follow best practices and that our clients receive optimal care.

In addition to our thorough effort in hiring and training our caregivers, Visiting Angels Fort Worth takes great care in matching our caregivers with new clients. We want the caregiver/client relationship to blossom from the beginning. It’s important to us that our clients are matched with a compatible caregiver.

Although we take the time to get to know potential clients and understand their care needs, preferences, routines, and personalities, we also welcome our clients to interview potential caregivers. Here are some important questions to ask your caregiver to help you gauge their qualifications, experience, and compatibility with your needs and preferences.

Experience and Background

It’s always best to start with experience and background. Knowing the training your caregiver has received and how long they’ve been in the field can give you confidence that you’ll be in great hands. The following questions will help you assess the caregiver’s personal connection to the role and what drives them.

How long have you been working as an in-home caregiver and for Visiting Angels Fort Worth?
What’s your educational background?
What training or certifications have you received?
What drew you into the profession of caregiving?

Compatibility & Personality

Another set of important questions relates to compatibility. You want a caregiver who aligns with your personality, can manage your care needs, and is quick to learn your preferences. These questions will help you get to know the personality of the caregiver so you can determine if they’ll be compatible with you.

What steps do you take to ensure the comfort and well-being of your clients?
How do you handle stressful or challenging situations?
What do you like to do for fun, in your spare time?
What interests you, or what hobbies do you enjoy?

Expectations and Goals

Finally, it’s helpful to learn the expectations and goals an in-home caregiver has towards their role and their vision for providing exceptional care. Understanding their expectations and goals allows for alignment with your own needs and helps ensure that the caregiver's objectives are in sync with your overall well-being.

What are your expectations regarding the role of being an in-home caregiver?
What do you find most fulfilling as a professional caregiver?
How do you measure success in your role?
What long-term goals do you have in your profession?

Local Resources for Seniors

If you’re searching for in-home care, it’s likely that you already need some assistance. Below is a list of local resources available to assist you.

Sixty and Better — provides several programs and activities for seniors to help them live life to the fullest.

Aging & Disability Resource Center of Tarrant County — offers information, support, and resources for seniors and their families. They can provide reputable guidance on available services and support groups in the area.

Catholic Charities of Fort Worth — provides short and long-term case management programs for those who need help.

Another local resource for seniors is Visiting Angels Fort Worth. We provide exceptional elderly care services for seniors in Fort Worth and the surrounding communities. Our clients choose us because of our flexible scheduling, continuous monitoring, and our amazing, professional caregivers. If you are ready to receive the help you need so that you can age in place, please contact us today by calling 817-877-1616.