Whether to hire caregivers to assist us or our family members through a reputable agency or by hiring privately is a question that is asked frequently. I personally am queried professionally and personally as I manage the Home Care Services for Eldercare Services. My day begins and ends steeped in everything from the recruiting process to the ultimate placement of a caregiver with our clients.
While I certainly have the expertise to hire privately I chose not to for a variety of reasons. At Eldercare Services I am a member of a team which means that when I am handling any issue or process other individuals within the company, with expertise in a variety of areas, are there to assist me and collaborate with,. We are always reviewing our processes to ensure we are doing our best.
I know the caregivers who are assisting my friends or family are not just hired but are selected by Eldercare, including thorough background checks, to ensure that the highest standards are met. The caregivers are trained and mentored by a team that includes Geriatric Care Managers with backgrounds in a variety of social service professions who have years of experience and who are held to a very high set of standards and accountability including the code of conduct and professional ethics mandated by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
The employees who work in staffing and administration bring with them backgrounds that are diverse and professional in a variety of fields and we seem to recruit the best of the best which means any area of service is handled with a total quality management focus. Every employee of Eldercare is empowered to provide client-centered service.
I have first hand experience with the service at Eldercare. Just the other night I received a late night call from a physician informing me that someone I was responsible for needed emergency medical attention which resulted in the need for some extra care. With a simple phone call, my family member was cared for round-the- clock by compassionate, professional, caregivers. I was able to go to sleep that night in my own house without worrying about my loved one.
The response from the on-call team and our assigned Geriatric Care Manager seemed effortless. While it seemed effortless, I know what happens behind the scenes and an efficient, professional process was taking place with a lot of work to ensure the request was handled well. This allowed me to focus on the issues that needed my attention because my family member was safe and cared for and I was receiving up-to-date reports. I was not cut off from the process and I felt as though I had a partner. By informing me, using a consistently honest and open approach, I felt I had choices.
We, as consumers, should not hold the crisis alone. We should be able to partner with those with expertise. Our Geriatric Care Managers and caregivers do not replace the family, we support the family. Eldercare Services realizes that by caring for our employees we care for our clients and their families.
