Your family matters to you, and you want to find a caregiver who is just right. Just because you like someone doesn’t mean he or she is the right fit for your family to work with. In fact, liking someone is only the beginning. It’s like judging a book by its attractive or interesting cover—you don’t know the real story inside yet. To find the best caregiver, you’ll need to conduct thorough interviews of candidates and assess their skills, experience, trustworthiness, and intellect. When meeting with candidates, ask yourself these five questions:

Can I trust this person?

You may think you can, but you can’t always judge this from looks alone. It’s also more than a gut feeling. To decide, you’ll want to see a background report that highlights any red flags in an applicant’s past. Not only does this help keep criminals out, but it also protects your family. Only the best–a professional and trustworthy person–should care for someone in need.

Do they have experience—specifically the kind you need?

What have they done in the past—by a show of resume and references—that shows they are qualified? Ask questions to get the answers you need. If your family member has special needs, does the caregiver have that specific experience and/or training? Are they comfortable preparing and administering injectable medicines for your family member needing insulin? After meeting an applicant, you should be confident that they can cater to whatever your family’s needs are.

Are they reasonably smart?

It’s critical that they remember important facts, focus, on tasks, and switch gears when needed. This will require a high level of organization, focus and communication. You can judge this by their conversation, relevant knowledge, responses to situational questions and professional resume. Are they flexible, detail-oriented, empathetic, and stable? Though everyone wants a schedule that is somewhat routine, life can be unpredictable. From accidents, to the family’s ever-changing schedule, to prescription pick-ups and drop offs, it takes balance to keep up. You’ll want to choose someone who can adjust well, genuinely care, and be stable enough to be trusted through it all.

Will they fit in well with my family or organization?

This is often what seals the deal. Each family has its own culture and way of interacting with one another. When choosing a caregiver, it’s important to assess whether he or she would easily assimilate into everyday life in your home. Overall likeability is key here. And don’t be afraid to have other family members join the meeting to weigh in. If you can answer “yes” to all these questions, you’ve found more than just someone you like; you’ve found one who’s likely to succeed in the position. Good luck in your search and let us know how it’s going in the comments!

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