How to Find Quality Caregivers for Residential Care Homes

It can be sometimes difficult to find quality caregivers for residential care homes, also called personal care homes. A quality caregiver should be someone who provides daily activities for the residents, show initiative and quick response, demonstrate sound judgement and provide confident care.

Hiring a caregiver at times can be a little overwhelming. There are many issues to consider before opening the classifieds, calling caregiver agencies, and searching the Internet for independent contractors. Since this is stepping into unknown territory, it's a good idea to leverage word of mouth referrals from family members and friends. Knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it is a huge part of finding a quality caregivers for residential care homes. With that said, here are three suggestions to help find quality caregivers for a residential care homes.

Caregiver Agencies - Hiring caregiver agencies can be expensive, but a lot of them are bonded and insured. It is important to ask the agency if they provide employees to do the work. Some agencies recruit caregivers looking for work from a referral list and do not perform background checks before hiring them. Reputable agencies ensure their caregivers pass criminal background checks, screening for communicable diseases, and are trained in CPR and first aid. However, if the caregiver does not work out, you can request a replacement. Also, agency CNAs may have nurses assigned to the residential care home to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed. Remember, you are hiring quality caregivers for a 24/7 operation. Bottom line, it takes money, time, and energy to provide consistent, high-quality care to your residents. It should not be something you enter into lightly.

Independent Contractor - This may be more affordable, but be careful! Find out if the caregiver has a current certified nursing assistant license. This will ensure the person can provide basic care for your residents. Also, perform a criminal background check and verify the caregiver's references. If everything seems legitimate, ask family members to sit in during the interview to confirm they feel comfortable with this person before caring for your special loved one. One thing you can do is call CNA schools to get staff members. CNA schools are always looking to place their qualified students in externships, temporary and permanent jobs.

In-Home Respite Care Services - It is vitally important to take care of yourself as you take care of your residents and loved ones. Plan your relief by assessing your needs. Some of these might include personal free time during the day to run errands, transporting residents, or daily activities (e.g., cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.). Some caregiver agencies offer this service to provide temporary or regular support to caregivers that work a 24/7 schedule. Other forms of non-medical respite breaks can be provided by family, friends, neighbors and volunteers from local retirement groups. Also consider college-bound students that need to fulfill community service hours, faith-based and non-profit organizations to cover short, non-medical in-home intervals.

Do You Want the Best Caregivers? - Are you comfortable with the people representing your brand? Are these people exceeding your expectations when it comes to implementing your systems, policies and procedures? Do you feel confident that your residents are receiving the best 24/7 care possible every single day? Now that you know how to find a quality caregiver, when are you going to spend the time, money, and energy to do it? Who is responsible to ensure that your residents are receiving the highest standard of care? Each caregiver has a lasting impact on your business, your residents, and your bottom line. Pick and choose wisely.

Sherman Lawson is the president and senior consultant at Care Consulting and Training, LLC. As a care home consulting firm, Care Consulting and Training, LLC has helped hundreds of people get licensed throughout the country using their customized products, services, training, and consulting programs. President, Sherman Lawson is the author of the book "12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever" and an e-book "The Blueprint to Start and Run a Personal Care Home." Sherman Lawson has appeared and been featured in Money Magazine for Women, The Oregonian, Atlanta Live, Good Day Northwest, and other local and national media.

Reaping the Benefits of Massage

There is a valid reason why massage therapy has been around for thousands of years: it works. Not only does it feel great, but there are many benefits to having a massage as well. Those who have them on a regular basis report they are less stressed and have less headaches and there are valid reasons why.

Having a massage produces feelings of comfort and connection, they are performed in darkened rooms with soothing music in the background and on a comfortable table. You are warm and cozy, relaxed and ready to conquer the world. It is quiet, it is sleep inducing and it is a comfortable atmosphere free of loud noises or stressors; a place where you can escape to and be free of the world if only for a hour at a time.

There are several types of massage, the most popular bring Swedish and deep tissue. Both relieve stress and increase the blood flow and circulation but Swedish uses long strokes, deep circular movements, tapping, vibration and kneading while deep tissue uses slower more forceful strokes that target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Sports massage that targets specific areas injured by an athlete and trigger point massage that focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers are also available and let the client reap the same rewards as more traditional treatments.

Massages allow anxiety and depression to be soothed away, they also help improve sleep, in fact, some clients will fall asleep during their massage, you can't get more relaxed than that! Massages also boost immunity and up your white blood cell count so you can better fend off the nasty bugs and viruses that are going around.

They also work to reduce tension and lessen the pain of headaches, fibromyalgia pain and can combat some digestive issues and disorders as well. If you think about it, getting better circulation and better blood flow to vital organs and needed muscles can only result in benefits for the client. Oxygen rich blood makes muscles work better and can speed the healing of injuries too.

Massage therapy is performed by trained professionals, if you are worried about the credentials, simply find a therapist who is a registered member of their local society. They are there to not only give you the gift of relaxation but to also answer any questions you may have as well. Like any professional they are there to help.