The older we get, the more likely we are to need paid assistants, especially those living alone. Even before we’re decrepit, hiring house cleaners and yard workers, if affordable, has much to commend it. Climbing a ladder to reach your roof or doing acrobatics to wash windows are increasingly best avoided.
As care needs grow, you may also need both skilled medical care and “custodial care” – that is, help attending to your daily needs. This help is not covered by Medicare and has traditionally been a family affair. But as the numbers grow who need help with activities of daily living, and the years increase that people need this help, and as families get smaller and children less willing to sacrifice their own lives, industries have sprung up to offer these services.
Medical and Custodial Assistance
Because Medicare pays for skilled medical care but not custodial care, the agencies providing these services have generally been independent from each other. Aides providing medical services – administering injections, cleaning wounds – have additional training and certification beyond that of “non-medical” home health aides.
In reality, these types of care often overlap, especially as people get older and more infirm. As a result, businesses are springing up that claim to coordinate medical and custodial care. Because certification requirements and payment systems differ, it’s likely that such coordinated services will be for the relatively affluent.
If you look at ads in newspapers or venues aimed at seniors, you’ll see that many of the ads for home health aides specifically say, “non medical.” This generally means you’ll be paying out-of-pocket, though some long-term care policies may cover non-medical home care.
For skilled medical care, make sure the agency you choose is Medicare-eligible and covered by your plan.
Home and Yard Assistance
If you can afford it, hiring people to help with house and yard tasks is a good idea. If you balk at the expense, remember the consequences of an injury incurred while replacing roof shingles or washing windows. The best way to prevent certain kinds of falls is to stay away from ladders.
Finding Workers
You can find workers through an agency or you can seek out independent contractors for the jobs you want done. There are pros and cons both ways. Although companies generally cost more, they check the references of their employees, take care of paperwork such as insurance and taxes, and assure dependability (usually). Most companies provide a team to clean your house or yard, which means they will take less time. Some companies allow you to try different house cleaners/yard workers until you find the right person or team. Also, if you’re unhappy with the job, you can complain to the agency rather than the individual.
On the downside, some companies may not be scrupulous about checking references, especially if they underpay their employees. Since house and yard workers receive low wages, don’t be surprised if they do the minimum. If you want extra tasks done, you’ll need to negotiate either with the worker or with the company.
Some people prefer independent contractors because they can have a direct relationship with them rather than going through an agent. Hiring an independent contractor lets you be in control of the products they use and the hours they come to your house. If working for you is part of their own business, they’re likely to do a better job.
Independent contractors come in two varieties: those who are bonded and those who aren’t. Bonded contractors generally charge more but you’re protected in the event of theft and covered if an accident happens at your home.
Unbonded workers may be college students working part time and others who work intermittently. Depending on the complexity of the job and your confidence in the worker, you might be comfortable hiring unbonded workers. However, for a job of any complexity, you’re better off with a company or individual that will guarantee their work.
You can look in the yellow pages or online under “housekeeper,” “maid,” “yard services,” or “housecleaning service” to find people to interview. The best way to find household help, though, is to ask your friends and neighbors who they use. You can also check with the employment office at a local college or consult Craigslist. If you go that route, be especially careful about checking out the applicant’s references.
Before you contact anyone, think about exactly what you want done. Be specific about your priorities.
Which parts of your house do you want cleaned? List the rooms, objects, and anything else (like moldings and mirrors) you want cleaned during each visit. You can use yourself to get an idea of how long the job should take.
Also, does it matter to you what products are used? Do you want environmentally friendly, non-toxic products? Are there products you prefer? Don’t expect your housekeeper to automatically do things as you would. You may have to teach them. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it.
Use the same process for yard work. List which tasks you want done (trimming, weeding, mowing, leaf-blowing, etc.) and how often; your preferences regarding fertilizers and pesticides; whose tools will be used, whether removal of debris is included, etc.
When interviewing someone who’ll be working for you, it’s helpful to have a written list of questions. You could ask about things like this:
- How long they’ve been doing this kind of work
- What they enjoy about it
- What housecleaning/yardwork chores they prefer not to do (e.g. washing windows; pruning)
- Additional references, including phone numbers
- Documentation establishing that they’re legally in the United States
- Any criminal history
- Character references
- Their educational background
- Their hobbies
- Hypothetical questions about how they would do the job
If you’re interviewing several people, jot down their answers and save them. Based on these answers and your gut feeling, you can prioritize which people you like best. It’s generally better to avoid workers who are between jobs and seeking regular employment. They probably won’t work for you long, and you’ll have to train another person all over again.
If the first hiree doesn’t work out, you can go to the next one on your list. You don’t have to hire the first person you talk to. If you’re unsure about hiring someone you’ve interviewed, keep interviewing candidates until you find the right person.
Be sure to contact references. Ask how satisfied they were with the worker and if there were any problems. The Arizona Attorney General’s website also recommends checking a variety of registers (PDF) to make sure you’re not hiring a criminal or sex offender.
Salary
What should you pay for household and yard work? Whether you negotiate a flat fee or pay an hourly amount, be sure to ask for an estimate of how long the job will take. Some people worry that a paying a flat fee encourages workers to do a hasty job. Of course, many reputable workers do prefer flat fees because they trust their skills and are able to work quickly.
In either case, be sure you’re on the same page. Here’s an example of why: My housekeeper thought she was hired to do a list of tasks. She thought her pay should be the same whether the job took an hour or an hour and a half. Whereas I thought that I was hiring her for an hour and a half of time. If she did the usual in an hour, I could assign her a different task for the remaining half hour. We needed to agree on this.
The amount home and yard workers charge hourly varies from area to area, but please pay at least $15 an hour and more if they bring their own products. If you decide to go this route, ask other people in your area what they pay and negotiate around that.
Whether you pay them by the job or the hour, do pay them on the day they do the work. Don’t make them wait for the money.
Giving Instructions
Whether you use an independent contractor or a company, be very clear about your needs and priorities from the beginning. Rather than saying, “I want the whole house cleaned,” say, “I want you to clean the living room, kitchen and TV room every week and the bedroom and bathroom once every two weeks. Each time you come, I want you to sweep and mop the kitchen floor and vacuum the stairs.” Then write everything down as specifically as you can and give them the list. Or you can co-create a list and add any specific instructions and needs that you have. This list might also include a way to request and pay for extra chores in addition to the regular cleaning schedule.
Make sure you’re clear about behaviors you don’t like, such as using your telephone or computer, watching TV, playing your radio, or listening to your CDs. Also, don’t leave bills, papers, or other confidential material around because it’s human nature to be curious.
If your house has special quirks, be sure to tell them. This could be something like a door that falls off its track unless opened very slowly, or a special item you don’t want broken or damaged.
Paying Taxes
If you’re hiring independent contractors, find out if any legal or tax requirements apply to you. You can make sure the person is legally able to work in the US by asking for documentation and/or using the Homeland Security Department’s electronic employee verification system, E-Verify. You can check with your local Small Business Administration organization for information on any legal responsibilities.
Trial Period
It’s a good idea to start with a trial period of 3-4 sessions. This will give the worker time to get used to what you expect and to adjust their work to please you. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to assess their work and request any changes you want. This trial period protects both you and the worker.
Should you be home when workers are in your house or yard? It’s up to you. If you’re sure of the worker’s honesty, and feel comfortable letting them work while you’re away, you don’t you need to stay home while they’re working. If a worker must use a security keypad, give them a number used just for them.
Unfortunately, theft happens. Be attentive the entire time your cleaner works for you. Check regularly for missing money, jewelry, small objects of value, and prescription medications. If you’re concerned, put these under lock and key. If you suspect that your housekeeper has stolen something from you, write down what’s missing and contact the company or the police rather than confronting the individual yourself.
Creating a Good Relationship
How can you create a good working relationship with people who work for you? Observe their work and provide feedback. If you notice something is not being done correctly or at all, first tell them what you like about their work, then tell them what you’d like to see improved. Then watch to see if their performance improves. If it doesn’t, or if the worker challenges your request, this person may not be a good fit and you should look for someone else.
Keep the lines of communication open. If a worker has a question, answer it right away. Offer outdoor workers drinking water or other beverages. Treat workers respectfully and with kindness. Around the holidays, give regular workers a small gift or bonus to acknowledge the help they’ve given you.