As the American population gets older and more and more people enter retirement, families are concerned about caring for their loved ones. Many senior citizens want to continue living in their homes instead of moving to an assisted living facility or a nursing home. If family members are unable to provide care as often as it is needed, they may hire in-home help to care for their aging parents.
Why You Should Conduct a Background Check
Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and they may be unable to effectively communicate about what is going on when family members are not around. Seniors can be victims of physical or sexual abuse, financial abuse or manipulation, or verbal abuse or threats. They may also be neglected by the people who are supposed to care for them.
If you are thinking about hiring a caregiver for your elderly parent and you would rather hire someone privately than go through an agency, you should conduct a background check before you extend an offer of employment. A background check on a prospective in-home caregiver should include several components.
What Should Be Included in a Background Check?
A thorough background check should include a review of criminal record databases in all states and counties where the applicant has lived to look for any history of violence, theft, or other criminal activity. It should include a verification of education, including any certifications listed on a resume, as well as previous employment. References should be verified to make sure the person actually did the work listed on a resume and to find out the circumstances under which the applicant’s employment ended.
If the caregiver will be driving your family member, the background check should include a check of the applicant’s driving records. You should also check a job applicant’s credit because someone with financial problems may be more likely to steal from an elderly person in his or her care. Using illegal drugs could put your family member at risk, so a background check should include drug testing.
DataCheck Can Help You Conduct a Background Check
DataCheck can help you conduct a pre-employment background check on someone you are thinking of hiring to care for your elderly parent. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved one is in the care of someone who is responsible and reliable and will not put your family member in harm’s way. If you would like to conduct a background check on a potential caregiver for your parent, contact DataCheck today.