Hiring, Training and Managing Personal Assistants

Personal assistance services may be one of the important support systems that caregivers have. A personal assistant can give a caregiver a much-needed break, lighten their duties, and give them a chance to do other things. Equally important, it can prevent/postpone a family member from going to a nursing home or other facility and allow them to "age in place" in the comfort of their own home.

Some qualities to look for in a personal assistant are:

• Relates well with people and possesses good communication and listening skills
• Has a positive and pleasant attitude
• Good references and at least some experience and/or certification
• Looks beyond any disability to see the person in your loved one
• Respect for your privacy and confidentiality
• A clean and trustworthy appearance
• Has reliable transportation

Trust your intuition - you are your best detection instrument! Your first reaction to people will generally predict your future ease with them. Take into consideration your "gut" reaction, the information you learn in a personal interview with them and what his/her references say.

Join us at one of the following locations for a FREE class on hiring, training, and managing personal assistants on Thursday, November 18, 2010 and learn much, much more about this subject:

11:30 - 12:30 at Courtyard at Jamestown (lunch and respite care provided)
2:00 - 3:00 pm at the American Fork Library (respite care funds available, if needed)