What is caregiver matching?

A caregiver matching service helps a family find a paid caregiver whose skills, schedule and experience fit the person who needs care. The Alzheimer's Association advises writing down the person's care needs and your expectations before contacting any provider, then asking what kind of help they offer and whether it meets those needs. For dementia, ask specifically about dementia experience.

Start with your parent's doctor, who may recommend providers experienced with dementia. The Alzheimer's Association also suggests its online Community Resource Finder, your local association chapter, the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116, Medicare's tool for comparing home health agencies, and asking friends and neighbors about their experiences. Your local Area Agency on Aging can say whether your state helps pay for in-home care.

The Alzheimer's Association suggests asking whether caregivers have dementia experience and dementia care training, whether they know first aid and CPR, whether the agency is bonded to protect you against losses caused by an employee, whether it can give references, whether caregivers are available at the times you need, whether it provides backup when someone is sick, and whether it can manage your specific health and behavioral needs.

Look for real dementia experience and dependability. The Alzheimer's Association suggests asking candidates about their dementia experience and training, first aid and CPR, availability and backup, and references, and talking to others who have worked with them. Once you choose, share the person's background, past accomplishments and fond memories, which helps the caregiver connect and form a stronger bond.

The Alzheimer's Association outlines five steps: write down the person's care needs and your expectations, call providers first to see whether their help matches those needs, interview at home with a third person present so you can compare impressions afterwards, check references and ask whether criminal records have been checked, and share information about the person so the caregiver can give better care.