Hiring a caregiver or helper to support your aging loved one at home is a huge step toward ensuring their safety and comfort. Still, for many families, it also comes with an undercurrent of anxiety. You’ve invited a stranger into a private, vulnerable space to provide essential care, and the nagging question of “How do I really know they’re doing a good job when I’m not there?” is both natural and crucial.
Balancing trust with verification is one of the most delicate parts of managing in-home care. This article isn’t intended to foster suspicion; it aims to empower you with five simple, respectful, and practical strategies that give you peace of mind. These proactive steps allow you to confidently oversee the care your loved one receives, ensuring their well-being and protecting the trust you’ve placed in your hired helper.
It’s Natural to Worry About Your Loved One with In-Home Care
When you hire an in-home caregiver to help care for your loved one, it’s natural to worry.
You want to know that they’re being treated with kindness and that all their needs are met.
To help you stay informed, we share five simple ways to discreetly check in with your hired caregiver.
When you know the caregiver is getting along well with your aging loved one and is keeping them healthy and safe, you’ll have greater peace of mind.
These five ways to check on your older adult’s in-home caregiver are simple, practical, and help reduce caregiver guilt and stress.
5 Ways to Check on an In-Home Caregiver
1. Stay in touch by unexpectedly dropping in or calling
The simplest way to check up on your older adults’ in-home caregivers is to drop by unannounced for brief visits.
It’s wise to make this a habit, not just do it in the first few weeks after they were hired. That sends the message that you’re continuing to closely monitor your older adult’s care.
While you’re there, look for signs that tell you how they’ve been spending their time.
Is your older adult clean, fed, and in good spirits? Is the caregiver engaging them in conversation or an activity? Or is your older adult asleep in front of the TV with the caregiver focused on their smartphone?
Visiting in person is best, but if you aren’t able to drop by, call your older adult instead. Ask a few questions about what’s been happening to get a feel for how the day is going.
If talking to your older adult isn’t possible, it’s still worthwhile to call and chat with the caregiver.
2. Trust your gut instincts
You’ve probably heard this a million times: trust your gut. If something feels wrong, investigate further. Don’t dismiss your uneasiness as nothing or paranoia.
A wrong feeling is a good enough reason to let someone go or not hire them. Your older adult’s well-being isn’t worth the risk.
3. Ask for feedback from both caregiver and care recipient
Your older adult is an essential source of information. Have casual conversations about how they feel things are going with the in-home caregiver.
Listen openly, and without judgment, so they’ll be more likely to confide in you.
Even with older adults who might complain because they don’t want to have a caregiver around, you’ll likely be able to tell the difference between regular complaints and signs of problems.
If anything they say sounds odd or suspicious, take it seriously and investigate further.
4. Ask the in-home caregiver to keep a daily log
Ask the caregiver to write a daily journal that briefly documents how they spent the day.
This should include notes about your older adult’s mood, appetite, medications, and bathroom visits.
They can also note any problems, injuries, or questions for you.
5. Recruit neighbors to help keep an eye on things
If your older adult has trusted neighbors, ask them to keep an eye out for any unusual activity.
Alternatively, after introducing them to the caregiver as a trusted friend, ask them to drop in periodically to check in.
Final Thoughts on Keeping an Eye on In-Home Caregivers
Ultimately, these strategies aren’t about micromanaging or creating a tense environment; they’re about building a transparent and successful partnership centered on your loved one’s best interests. By implementing clear communication, routine check-ins, and subtle oversight methods, you transform uncertainty into confidence and passive worry into active engagement.
This approach not only safeguards your family member but also supports the caregiver by setting clear expectations and opening channels for feedback. Taking these simple steps helps you move from anxious hope to informed assurance, knowing you have created a framework for quality, compassionate, and trustworthy care in your own home.
Recommended for you:
- 3 Tips to Get Peace of Mind When Using an In Home Caregiver
- How to Hire a Driver for Seniors: 6 Tips
- This Guide Helps You Make a Caregiving Plan in 5 Steps
About the Author
Connie is the founder of DailyCaring.com and was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also understands the importance of support, especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
I wish I would d have never convinced my mother to go to a level. 2 care home. She expressed things that were not right and died 2 months later having had 3 to. 4bdays missing antibiotics. Also was found outside crying by a visitor. As all families I was so scared to speak up. I still have not and my mother is dead.
We’re so sorry for your loss. You made a very tough decision with the information that you had at the time.
If it would help bring some closure, you may want to contact the care home licensing organization in your area of Canada to file a complaint.
You may also find it helpful to speak with a therapist, counselor, or faith leader to get assistance with processing these challenging feelings.