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What Questions to Ask
By
Nate Murray |
Editor’s Note:
This is the first in what will be a regular column
addressing the issues and concerns you may have about home
care services. Regular contributor Nate Murray and Kim
Griffin, Director of The Visiting Angels division of MBC
Senior Services, Inc. will take address your questions on
this important health care solution.
Question: My parents are getting closer to needing
some assistance in their home with organizing, remembering
medications, shopping and some personal care. When thinking
about bringing in a private home care service for them, what
questions should I ask to make sure I am getting reliable
help?
Answer: The very first thing you should ask is
whether or not the home care provider has a license from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Here in Massachusetts,
providers of non-medical, in-home care are licensed by the
Division of Occupational Safety.
This state department ensures that certain safety levels are
maintained for employees and that they are following all
applicable labor laws. If the company or agency is not
licensed, look elsewhere.
Secondly, ask about the background of the owners and
management. Are they human service professionals? How many
years have they been working in elder care? How many years
have they been in business?
What you want to hear is that not only are they caring
people, but that they have the credentials to be providing
this level of care. Don’t be shy about asking for
professional references.
Third, ask if the company conducts background checks. The
background check is absolutely essential if your are
thinking about bringing people into the home. Do they
conduct a CORI - a criminal background check - on all
potential caregivers? Also, ask if they check their
employee’s backgrounds through work references.
Lastly, find out if the people who are coming to your home
are employees or independent contractors. While hiring an
independent contractor may be a little cheaper, you may end
up being liable for paying social security taxes and
providing workers’ compensation insurance.
Without that protection, if they are hurt on the job in your
home, you could be fully liable. If they are employees,
their company takes care of all that. |
About The Author
Nate Murray,
MSW, LICSW is the Managing Partner and Kim Griffin, LSW is
the Director of The Visiting Angels, a division of MBC
Senior Services, Inc. Send your questions to them at 475
School Street, Suite 9, Marshfield MA 02050. They can be
reached at (781) 834-6355 or on the web at
www.visitingangels.com.
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