SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO HIRE HELPERS

1. After reviewing the list, locate those individuals whose addresses appear to be close to you.

(The lesser the expense the helpers would incur in traveling, hopefully, the lesser the wage expected.)

2. Of those individuals, narrow the list again by checking what type of help they are willing to provide, keeping in mind the help you need.

3. By this time, your list may have only a few individuals remaining, however, if not, the list can be made smaller by looking at the individuals' availability.

4. Telephone you first selections. Let the individual know you found their name on the "Area Agency on Agent's Private Pay Registry."

5. Inquire of their interest in working at the present time. If the individual is available for the time that is needed, you may want to continue the interview over the telephone, or schedule a time for you to meet with him or her.

6. You may refer to the information on the Private Pay Registry as a means of starting the interview: "I see that you have had Private Duty jobs before. Can you tell me about your responsibilities there?"

7. Don't hesitate to ask questions such as:

• Permission for you to contact past employers. If a past employer is no longer living or able to talk with you, ask for a family member of the employer that you could contact.
• Any limitations such as lifting, if that is a requirement in the job.
• Prior experience or training in performing tasks such as preparing special diets, caring for the needs of an incontinent adult, or other special needs specific to your own situation.

8. A reimbursement does not have to be an hourly wage. Consider offering a fee for a specific number of hours, especially if considering night duty, or for performing certain tasks.

• Example: "I will pay X amount of money for you to mow my lawn, regardless of how long it takes to do the job."

9. If you are hiring a helper for an older adult, be clear as to who is responsible for supervising, scheduling and paying the helper.

10. The responsibilities of the helper, if an ongoing arrangement, may be written in the form of a job description, so there is no doubt as to what is expected.

11. A simplified contract may also be used to include all pertinent information of the agreement. As example of one is shown. Please feel free to use all or parts of it for you own private pay arrangement.

12. This Private Pay Registry may not be of help to you. Other alternatives may be advertising in the newspaper posting "Help Wanted" adds on the supermarket bulletin board, contacting your pastor or the Job Center Office.

JUNIATA COUNTY