As a senior care franchise owner, you have a passion for helping elders to thrive at home. From the beginning, you have worked hard at building a business that puts senior care and safety first. Part of that process is hiring qualified and retrained caregivers for the elderly whom you serve. A lot of time and effort must go into selecting the right candidate and making sure that they are providing the highest possible level of care.
Each caregiver you send out is your representative. This means that their actions can not only help or hinder the lives of seniors, but they are also reflective of the reputation and integrity of your business. Therefore, as a franchise owner, it is imperative to recognize the signs that indicate trouble. Sometimes, letting a caregiver go can be one of the important decisions you make. But first, you must be aware if a problem is present. Here are some common indicators to watch out for.
Complaints
Families need caregivers they can trust. And they want to rely on the fact that you trusted them first. Often, seniors benefit greatly from the assistance of a home care provider. However, when complaints begin to arise, pay attention. In a busy world, it is easy to dismiss problems or simply apologize for them. However, if you are consistently receiving complaints about a caregiver, it could mean trouble. In other words, if seniors or their families are frequently at odds with a specific caregiver, it might be time to let the caregiver go.
Unreliability
When it comes to senior care, unreliability can cause an elderly person to be left unattended. In fact, if a caregiver shows up late or leaves early, serious consequences can occur. For example, this can increase the risk for falls, medical emergencies, and other disasters. If the caregiver is in charge of cooking, their absence could mean that a senior might go without eating or drinking. For a bed-ridden patient, the consequences could be dire.
Temperament
Those who take on caregiver jobs should be patient and even-tempered. Be vigilant about changes in a home care provider’s behavior. If they begin to exhibit angry outbursts or lack patience when you are speaking to them, consider their treatment of vulnerable seniors. Employees who are disrespectful to their superiors can be even more likely to treat their patients poorly. This is a cause for concern and something about which franchise owners should be vigilant.
Burnout
For caregivers to care for others, they must care for themselves first. Unfortunately, burnout is one of the most prevalent issues in elderly caregiving. And it is important to recognize the signs. For example, exhaustion is often an indicator. Furthermore, a caregiver experiencing fatigue can place seniors at risk. Falling asleep on the job or administering medications improperly can have deadly consequences. Additional symptoms of burnout can include a lack of care for oneself. Therefore, if you notice related changes in appearance or emotional state, intervention may be necessary.
Senior care franchise owners must be vigilant about recognizing any form of elder abuse. Whether the maltreatment is accidental or purposeful, they must stop it immediately. One of the ways to put an end to improper caregiving is to know the signs. While they can vary, the aforementioned signs are among the most common. And if left unnoticed, they can lead to even further neglect. Because senior care is your passion, it’s important to have resources. At A Better Solution in Home care, we offer a variety of tools to help seniors and their families. Our agents are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you might have. Please call (877) 585 9011 or visit our website to learn more.