Need interview tips for temp live-in for vacation, please

[TracyB,RN, RN]

Looking for a live-in so my hubby & I can BOTH go see our daughter tumble at nationals. The CNA that was gonna stay with Gram (who lives with us) is unable to stay as planned d/t a recent major surgery. I need some help coming up with questions to ask the potential live-in...This live-in will be coming from the same agency that our usual CNA comes from...WE will be gone for 8.5 days.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Most of the live-ins are nurses from other countries that are waiting to take the foreign nurse exam... I have little experience with this type of thing, as hubby & I are primary care-givers, with NO family support. Gram has had several strokes, contractures on Lt. side, GT, we also have 2 dogs, 2 cats that will need to be cared for... Should we board the animals? The agency said not necessary, but we both feel like we should give the potential live-in something extra for the pet care, on the side. Is that cool or will the live-in get in trouble? What do you think would be fair?

Agency will charge 150 per day for the live-in. Seems to be average for my area.

Gotta add that this is hubby's gram, he is extremely protective, & even pickier than I am. I don't want to scare off any potential help, but want to make sure we get the best possible person for the job.

Thanks for your help :)

[Jolie, BSN]

Not a whole lot of wisdom to add, just be sure to get references, references, and more references!

Does the agency sent out a supervisor on occasion for spot checks? That would help to ease my mind, since you already have an established relationship with them.

Can Gram use the phone if she is uncomfortable with her care-giver? Any neighbors who can drop in?

I can only imagine how difficult this is to arrange. Wish I could help. But have a ball at Nationals! Where is the meet being held?

[Blackcat99]

I would keep the animals home. I would give her a $20 tip for the pet care. Have fun on your trip. :)

[TracyB,RN, RN]

Jolie, unfortunately, Gram wouldn't know what to do with a phone it was glued to her ear...but fortunately, for us, her nephew lives right next door, whew...

Supervisor comes for interview, and the nurse who is assigned to Gram said she would come out several times while we were gone. Thank goodness she lives nearby... I will add that to my list, to see of the super will come out for spot checks. Didn't think of that one...

Going to Hampton, VA for the first time & this will be our first family outing in the last 4 years, so we REALLY need this time away together. We made the trip a tad longer so we could actually enjoy it. IF we can't get someone to cover, my hubby will be stuck staying home. Hopefully, we get some good choices to pick from.

[suzanne4, RN]

Be very careful with the agency. And make sure that the nurses have legal documents to be in the country.............and that you can understand them.

Unfortunately, there are many nurses that come over for positions where they are promised $7 per hour, until they pass their licensing exams, but they do not speak English that a five year old could understand. Please be very careful of this. This could only cause you more problems due to some of the agencies out there...............so please also check this sitter as well......not just the agency and the nurse.

[Jolie, BSN]

Just one more thought. What if you ask the CNA to feed and water the pets, but also arrange for a neighbor to come in twice a day (at varying times) to walk the dogs. That gives you another pair of eyes in the house.

Check your PM. I'm feeling very lazy right now, and don't want to bother with my e-mail!

[TracyB,RN, RN]

Good ideas... thanks.

Suzanne, we have had the same nurse/agency for 4 yrs now, so I feel comfortable with the nurse & her checking in on things, but no experience with the temp live-in....

We only have 1 neighbor, hubby's cousin, who absolutely is NOT an animal lover, so he is kinda out on that one... I do have a few friends who have said they are willing to come out, but I would hate to impose on them, but if I have to, I have to...