How to choose a trusted caregiver for home care: A guide for families

Caring for older family members often presents emotional, physical, and organizational challenges. When the time comes to seek additional help at home, families frequently face a dilemma: how to find a reliable and qualified person to whom they can entrust the health and daily life of their loved one? In this guide, we answer the most important questions and help you choose the right caregiver or elderly care assistant in Serbia or anywhere in Europe.

Why choosing the right caregiver matters?

Elderly individuals need not only physical assistance but also emotional support. The person who comes to their home daily must be patient, empathetic, and skilled. A poor choice can lead to unpleasant situations, misunderstandings, or even neglect. Conversely, the right caregiver provides relief to the family and improves the quality of life for the care recipient.

1. Identify your loved one's needs

Before you start your search, ask yourself: what type of help is needed?

• Basic care: help with getting up, dressing, maintaining personal hygiene
• Social support: talking, walking, socializing
• Nursing care: measuring pressure, administering medication (requires a trained professional)
• Household help: cooking, cleaning, shopping

Clearly defining needs makes it easier to find someone with the right qualifications.

2. Where to find a reliable caregiver?

In Belgrade and other major cities, there are more and more agencies that offer home care for the elderly. However, one should be careful - it does not mean that every offer is reliable.

It is safest to rely on:

• Proven platforms(such as NANA Prime, which offers verified and rated caregivers)
• Recommendations from acquaintances and doctors
• Licensed agencies with experience in elderly care

Avoid ads with insufficient information and unknown sources without verified identity or experience.

3. What to look for when choosing?

When talking to potential candidates, ask the following questions:

• How long have you been working with the elderly?
• Do you have experience with people with dementia, Alzheimer's, mobile or immobile seniors?
• Do you have a certificate or license for completed training?
• How would you react in an emergency situation?

It is important that the caregiver is open, calm and shows understanding towards the situation.

4. Legal security and transparency

Do not forget to clearly define the terms of cooperation:

• Employment contract or agreement with the platform/agency
• Salary and exact working hours
• Defined breaks and days off

If you work through a registered platform, most of these aspects will be covered automatically, which further facilitates the process.

5. Monitoring the quality of care

Hiring a caregiver is not the end of the process - it is important to regularly communicate and monitor:

• Is your loved one satisfied?
• Are there any negative changes in mood, health or behavior?
• Are the tasks carried out as agreed?

Feedback and an open relationship with the caregiver are key to long-term success.

Conclusion

Choosing the right person for home care is one of the most important steps in maintaining your loved one’s quality of life. A skilled caregiver in Serbia can be an invaluable support, for both the care recipient and the family. Take your time with the selection, gather information, ask questions, and trust your intuition. Always choose care that is reliable and compassionate, because your loved ones deserve nothing less.