Caregivers?

I've had caregivers and I am a caregiver. I think the main thing to remember when getting a caregiver is the need of the client. For example, my husband is a stroke-survivor and his needs right after the stroke were physical, but 5 years later, his needs are more social. If the worker is needed for general housekeeping, and the worker sits in front of the television all day, then there is a problem. But if the worker is watching television with client, because that's what the client needs and wants, there is no problem...provided the household tasks don't go undone. I think it's important to ask specifically for a caregiver who will meet a particular need. My husband needed a male who would take him fishing once in a while. It took a few months to find him, but when found, it was a good match. Early on, I needed an older lady to care for my husband because his needs were physical, and having a young woman or another male care for him in certain ways, makde my husband uncomfortable. The problem was that the woman was past retirement age and tired easily. Then they sent a very young woman and she didn't even know how to read the back of a macaroni box. Workers are individual and you may have to go through a few to find the right one.