48-Hour Caregiver Matching in Miami

What does the 48-hour matching process look like at a glance?

The process has five stages, and all five happen inside the 48 hours that begin once your request is complete.

1. You send a complete request.
2. Caregivers are screened for dementia care experience.
3. We assemble 3 to 5 video profiles.
4. You receive the profiles and watch each caregiver's video interview.
5. You decide whom you want to meet.

Stage 1: What counts as a complete request?

A complete request is one that gives us enough about your relative's situation and your needs to look for caregivers who fit, and the 48 hours start from that point. Think about the practical details a caregiver would need to know:

• Where the care will take place, such as the person's own home or a family member's home.
• The kind of help needed: company and supervision, help with bathing and dressing, or a mix.
• The days and hours when help is wanted.
• Personal preferences, such as language, or a calm temperament for someone who becomes anxious in the evening.
• Whether the request follows a hospital stay.

If you are unsure which kind of support fits, the pages on memory care at home, companion care and personal care explain the differences. The more specific your request, the more useful the profiles will be.

Stage 2: How are caregivers screened for dementia care experience?

Within the 48 hours, caregivers are screened for dementia care experience, so the profiles you receive come from people who have worked with families facing memory loss. The CDC describes dementia as affecting memory, thinking and daily function, and that is why experience matters: a caregiver needs to be comfortable with repeated questions, changing moods and a person who may not recall what happened an hour ago.

Screening for experience is one part of choosing a caregiver. It is not a substitute for your own questions, which are covered further down this page.

Stage 3: How many caregiver profiles will I receive?

You receive 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours of a complete request. We keep the number small on purpose. A short list is easier for a stressed family to compare than a long directory, and it still gives you a real choice between personalities and styles.

Stage 4: Why do I watch a video interview before choosing?

The video interview is the proof of who a caregiver is, so families watch each caregiver's video interview before deciding whom to meet. Instead of relying on a written summary, you see and hear the person: how they talk about dementia, how they answer a hard scenario, and whether their manner feels like someone you would welcome into your relative's home.

When you watch, consider:

• Does the caregiver speak patiently and plainly?
• Do they describe concrete experience with memory loss, rather than general statements?
• How do they say they would respond if your relative refused help or became upset?
• Would your relative likely feel at ease with this person?

If the person you are caring for is able to take part, you may want them to watch with you. Their reaction can tell you a lot.

Stage 5: How do I decide whom to meet?

After watching the videos, you choose which caregivers you want to meet, and the decision stays with your family. You can pick one caregiver, or more than one, to meet in person before settling on anyone. Meeting is where you confirm what the video suggested, and where you can raise practical matters such as schedule and routines.

What should I ask any caregiver or agency before care begins?

Ask every caregiver or agency you consider, in any city, about background checks, licensing requirements and training, and ask for the answers in writing. Also ask about references, how they handle a missed shift, and who to call if the regular caregiver cannot come. These questions are general guidance for any care arrangement. Screening for dementia care experience, as described above, is the only screening claim this page makes about our caregivers.

What if the need is urgent or follows a hospital stay?

If your relative is coming home from the hospital, say so in your request. Our page on hospital discharge care explains how that support works. If you need a break from caregiving yourself, respite care is another option to mention in the request. The matching steps stay the same: profiles arrive within 48 hours of a complete request.

Where can Miami families find additional local support?

Families in Miami can also look at the Alzheimer's Association's South Florida chapter page for information specific to Alzheimer's disease. Listing a resource here does not mean it endorses or is affiliated with our service. For a doctor's guidance on your relative's health, speak to their own physician or a memory specialist, since this page does not give medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast will I see caregiver profiles?

You will receive 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours of a complete request. All of the matching stages happen inside that window.

What makes a request "complete"?

A request is complete when it tells us where care is needed, what kind of help is wanted, the schedule you have in mind and any personal preferences. If something important is missing, adding it right away lets the 48 hours begin.

How are your caregivers described?

They are screened for dementia care experience. You then watch each caregiver's video interview yourself before deciding whom to meet, which lets you judge the person directly.

Is the process different for families in Miami?

The steps are the same in every city. Miami families send a request, receive 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours, watch the interviews and choose whom to meet.

Can you tell me what stage of dementia my relative is in?

No. We do not diagnose or give treatment advice. Ask your relative's physician or a memory specialist about diagnosis and stage, and use your request to describe the daily help that is needed.