What proper checks look like
Whether you hire directly or through an agency, these checks should happen before anyone is left alone with your parent:
- Government ID seen and copied
- A guarantor who has been met and can be reached
- At least two references from people who employed them, checked by phone
- For nurses, a current NMCN licence, seen in person with the dates checked
- A home address that has been confirmed
If an agency cannot tell you which of these they did for the person they are sending, ask them to show you.
Why good caregivers leave
Families often say their helper 'ran off'. From what families and caregivers describe, the reasons tend to be:
- Pay that is too low, or that arrives late
- No days off, or days off that keep getting cancelled
- Duties that grow far beyond what was agreed
- Nobody to call when something goes wrong
Stability comes from fair pay on a fixed date, clear duties, proper rest and a supervisor who answers the phone. It is worth asking any agency how they handle each of these.
Questions to ask any caregiver agency
- Which checks did you do on the person you are sending?
- Who supervises them, and how often does that person see my parent?
- What happens if the caregiver is sick, late or does not turn up?
- How will I know what happened on each visit?
- Who do I call at night, and who answers?
- How and when do you pay your caregivers?
- What is included in the price, and what costs extra?
A good agency will answer every one of these without hesitating.
Warning signs
- The agency will not tell you who the caregiver is before the first visit
- Payment is requested in cash, or to a personal account
- Nobody can say who supervises the caregiver
- You only ever hear 'she is fine' and never any detail
- Your parent seems afraid, withdrawn or reluctant to talk when the caregiver is near
If you see the last sign, visit or send someone you trust as soon as you can.
How we do it at Home Care Nigeria
Every caregiver we send has had their ID, guarantor and references checked, and every nurse's licence is verified. Caregivers are paid by us on a fixed date each month. A named registered nurse reads every visit report and signs it before your family sees it, and rest days are covered by a named relief caregiver.
Common questions
What is the difference between a caregiver and a nurse?
A caregiver helps with daily life: company, meals, washing, dressing, moving safely and medication reminders. A registered nurse is licensed to carry out clinical tasks such as wound care and injections, and in our service supervises the caregivers.
