Free Caregiver Matching Service in Tampa

How does the free 48-hour matching service work?

The service has four steps: you complete a short care form, we screen for dementia care experience, we send 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours, and you watch each video interview before choosing whom to meet.

1. Short care form. You tell us about your family member and the help you need.
2. Screening for dementia care experience. We look for caregivers with experience in dementia care.
3. 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours. You receive a small, manageable set rather than a long list.
4. You watch, then decide. Each caregiver has a video interview. You watch it first and choose whom, if anyone, to meet.

The matching is free. For a wider view of local support, see our guide to in-home dementia care in Tampa.

What goes on the short care form?

The care form is a brief set of questions about your family member, the kind of help you want, and your schedule, so the profiles we send fit your situation.

Useful things to have in mind before you start:

• What daily tasks are hardest right now, such as meals, bathing, medication reminders or getting around the home.
• Which days and hours you need help, and whether you may need more over time.
• Anything about your relative's routine, language, or personality that a caregiver should know.

You do not need a diagnosis summary or medical paperwork to begin. If you have questions about symptoms or a diagnosis, those belong with your relative's doctor.

How are caregivers screened for dementia care experience?

We screen caregivers for dementia care experience before their profiles reach you. That is the only claim we make about our caregivers' backgrounds.

Dementia affects memory, thinking and daily function, according to the CDC's overview of dementia. Because of that, experience matters, and we want the people you see to have spent time caring for someone with these changes.

Screening is a first filter, not a guarantee. The video interview is the proof: you hear each caregiver describe their experience in their own words and judge for yourself.

What do the 3 to 5 video profiles include?

Each profile centres on a caregiver's video interview, which you can watch at your own pace and share with other family members.

When you watch, consider:

• How the caregiver talks about patience, repetition and changing moods.
• Whether they describe real experience with dementia care, not just general caregiving.
• Whether their manner feels calm and respectful, the way you would want them to speak with your relative.

Watching before meeting lets you rule people in or out without anyone coming to the home and without disrupting your relative's day.

What happens after you watch the videos?

After watching, you decide whom you would like to meet, and you are under no obligation to meet anyone.

When you meet a caregiver, ask any agency or caregiver directly about background checks, licensing, training and references. These are general questions worth asking everywhere, and they are your decision to verify. They are not claims we make about the caregivers we introduce.

It also helps to arrange a short first visit with you present, so your relative can get used to a new face.

Which types of care can a match lead to?

A match can support several kinds of home care, depending on what your family needs.

• Memory care at home for ongoing dementia support in familiar surroundings.
• Respite care when a family caregiver needs a break.
• 24-hour live-in care when round-the-clock presence is needed.
• Hospital discharge care when a relative is coming home after a stay.

Why do Tampa families look for help like this?

Many Tampa households include older adults who may need support. The U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates report 51,900 Tampa residents aged 65 and over, including 5,194 aged 85 and over, and 15,921 senior households where someone 65 or older lives alone, with a median household income of $71,302 (U.S. Census Bureau).

For families, these figures describe the setting, not your situation. If you live far from a parent, or your parent lives alone, seeing a caregiver on video first can make the decision easier.

Where can Tampa families find other local support?

Alongside caregiver matching, families can look at the Alzheimer's Association's Florida Gulf Coast chapter page for Alzheimer's-specific local information. Listing it here is not an endorsement from them of our service.

It is also sensible to ask your relative's primary care doctor about a memory evaluation and local specialists. For help covering care costs, ask the state and county offices that run Medicaid and aging programs for current rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the caregiver matching service really free?

Yes. Completing the short care form and receiving 3 to 5 video profiles is free for Tampa families. Any care you arrange afterward is a separate decision between you and the caregiver.

How fast will I receive caregiver profiles?

You receive 3 to 5 video profiles within 48 hours of submitting your care form.

How do you check that caregivers know dementia care?

We screen caregivers for dementia care experience. Then you watch each caregiver's video interview before deciding whom to meet, so you can judge their experience yourself.

What should I ask a caregiver or agency before hiring?

Ask about background checks, licensing, training, references, availability, and how they handle confusion or agitation. Ask these of any agency or caregiver you consider.

Do I need a dementia diagnosis to use the service?

No formal paperwork is needed to fill out the short care form. Questions about symptoms or diagnosis are best taken to your relative's doctor.