Hiring a Respite Care Provider

For many families, hiring their own respite care provider is the preferred option, because it provides maximum choice and control. This page contains information and links to documents you can use as resources in hiring your own provider.

First Step: Determine skills required
What are the particular needs for your family? Make a list of the skills, knowledge and traits you are looking for in a respite care provider. Remember, you're getting ready to put on your "employer" hat. What qualities would make for the perfect employee? Here is an example list. Use it as a starting point for building your own list.

• Have experience working with children/adults with special needs
• Have a working knowledge of first aid, safety and emergency procedures
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Have excellent work attendance record
• High School graduate
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• And...?

Next Step: Determine specific job duties
Break the job of "respite care provider" for your family into all of its components. For example:

• Assisting with bathing and toileting
• Assisting with grooming/dressing
• Assisting with transfers or other mobility requirements
• Assisting with meal preparation and eating
• And...?

Next Step: Finding candidates for the job
Click here to download document "Advertising for a Respite Provider"

Next Step: Interviewing candidates and checking background
Click here to download document "Interview Questions and Background Checks for Respite Care Provider"