For Caregivers
Home Security Issues and Caregivers
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When a family has employed an individual to provide care in their home, the following basic security precautions can help protect against possible theft and fraud:
- Never keep large amounts of cash in the home.
- Purchase a safe or place a deadbolt on a closet for storage of checkbooks, credit cards, keys, jewelry and valued heirlooms.
- Documents with confidential information should be maintained in a locked desk, locked file drawer, safe or secured closet.
- Items that are not replaceable should be secured out of sight.
- Extremely valuable items or documents should be kept in a safe deposit box out of the home.
- Install locks on bedrooms or other areas in the home where important items may be accidentally left unsecured on a daily basis.
- Don’t leave purses, wallets, keys or mail lying around for visual access by the caregiver.
- Don’t retrieve valuable items in view of a person (i.e., don’t pull a checkbook out of a desk drawer in front of a caregiver).
- Narcotic medications should be stored by the family in a locked area and only provided to the caregivers for administration on a daily basis.
When hiring a caregiver privately:
- Ask if he/she is registered in the state through the Registry for Certified Nursing Assistance. In many states, you may contact the State Department that provides licensure of healthcare providers to identify means of access to the CNA Registry. Another option is to contact the Director of Nursing at a reputable nursing home and they will assist you in locating the CNA Registry in your state.
- Home health agencies and home care agencies are typically licensed through a department within each state. These agencies often check for misuse of federal money, fraud, abuse and exploitation.
- A criminal background should be obtained prior to employing an individual. A release will need to be signed by the applicant giving permission to obtain the criminal background check. The job application and release from the applicant should be taken to the Sheriff’s Department. A nominal ($10 - $15) is generally required for the background to be run within your state. If possible, request a multi-state check.
Ms. Buchanan serves as the Director of Clinical Services & Safety for Southern Home Care Services. Through its state-licensed and CHAP*-accredited offices, Southern Home Care Services provides personal support, respite, homemaker, skilled nursing services, and a variety of specialty services to clients of all ages. In her corporate capacity, Ms. Buchanan oversees clinical operations for all of the Southern Home Care Services’ offices. A Registered Professional Nurse, Ms. Buchanan achieved specialty certification in Critical Care Nursing as well as in Nursing Administration and worked for many years in acute care hospital settings.