We have several local area businesses that provide in-home care, but my friend had a bad experience w/ one during her father's illness before he died. Now she desperately needs help at home caring for her mother w/ Alzheimer's, but she won't consider calling a professional service. What do you or your readers think/suggest/advise?
You'll pay more through a service. Why? Because it's worth more. Way too much exposure in too many ways to hire someone individually. Are you capable of running background checks? Checking references? Work history? Are you sure this person won't move into your home (if it's a live-in position) and squat? Believe me, that happens.
Tell you friend to hire professionals through a professional service. Think she had a bad experience before? Maybe, just maybe, she ain't seen nothin' yet.
A hint that's worked for us: We put locks on two of our bedroom doors where we keep all of our personal papers, our checkbooks, our account statements, mom's medication, anything we wouldn't want a stranger alone in the house to have access to. Tell your friend that's a reeeealy good thing to do no matter who she hires.
Now I am ill again, and am wondering if I can just ask this wonderful aide back, or must I go through the Home Health Care Agency?
Tell your friend that there is another risk of hiring your own person. If they get hurt while working for you, they can sue for medical costs, disability, etc. It can end up costing a LOT more money in the long run.