8 Questions to Ask Before Starting PCA Services

Once you’ve been approved for PCA services, it’s time to start thinking about the individual who will be providing at-home care for you. Since you will be spending quite a bit of time with this person, it is important to find someone that you are comfortable around.

Option 1: Choose Someone You Know

Your first and best option when searching for a personal care assistant is to hire someone you already know. People are most comfortable with someone they are familiar with, and in Minnesota, you can hire friends or relatives as your paid caregiver. 

According to the National Center on Caregiving, friends and relatives provide the majority of personal care service in the United States. If you have someone in mind, Best Care can assist in hiring and training them to become a home care professional for you.

Option 2: Let a PCA Agency Find a PCA for You

Your second option is to let a PCA agency, like Best Care, do the work for you. Our employees complete extensive PCA training to ensure the most professional in-home care available; however, this doesn’t mean every individual is the same. 

Best Care’s employees come from all backgrounds and personal philosophies, so you will have the opportunity to interview multiple candidates to find a match. The goal of this process is to find a home care professional that you feel comfortable with and can trust.

What To Ask a Personal Care Assistant

All PCAs will be trained and do a fantastic job, but what really makes a PCA stand out is how well you get along with them. For the relationship to be at its best, you need to be able to trust your PCA and ideally enjoy spending time with them.

To help get a feel for your compatibility with the PCA candidate, here are some questions you can ask before hiring them:

1. What experiences do you have in this field?
2. What qualities do you feel make you a great PCA?
3. What is your favorite and least favorite part of this type of job?
4. Ask situation-specific questions - these will depend on what you require from a PCA, such as whether they can cook, whether they can drive, and if their availability fits your needs.
5. Can I talk to any current or previous recipients of care?
6. What services do you think you are particularly good at?
7. Why do you want to be a caregiver?
8. What are your interests outside of caregiving?

It’s important to view this meeting as a job interview, but also as a conversation. Be sure to tell the candidate about yourself and your expectations, too, so they can better understand your home care needs.

Start PCA Services Today

Whichever option you choose, Best Care is ready to support you. We will do everything we can to make sure you will receive the best home care available.

Up For Reassessment? Learn about Transitioning from PCA to CFSS

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