Two years ago, my dad was diagnosed with early-stage dementia. He was still living alone in the same house he’d owned for 45 years, but he’d started leaving the stove on, missing medications, and getting lost on walks around the block.
I live 400 miles away. Panic doesn’t even cover it.
I tried three local agencies first — they quoted me $38–$45 an hour and said the earliest they could send someone was “six to eight weeks.” One even lost my paperwork twice.
Then a neighbor mentioned Care.com. I posted a job at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night… and by Thursday morning I had 37 messages. By the end of that week I’d hired Lisa — a retired nurse turned companion caregiver who charges $31/hour, shows up ten minutes early every single time, and now has her own key because Dad trusts her more than he trusts me some days.
Here’s the exact process I’ve repeated three times now (for Dad, then for my aunt, and again for a close friend’s mom) to find truly exceptional senior caregivers fast and without drama.
Step 1 – Skip the Agencies and Go Straight to Care.com
Agencies take 25–40 % of the hourly rate and still can’t guarantee consistency.
Care.com lets you hire directly, see real reviews, and pay what the caregiver actually deserves.
Start your free search here: Care.com
Step 2 – The Job Post Template That Flooded My Inbox With Great People
Here’s the copy-paste version that works every single time:
“Seeking a patient, experienced companion for my 84-year-old dad with mild dementia in [Neighborhood/City]
He’s still very social, loves baseball, crossword puzzles, and short walks. Needs help 4 days/week (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) 9 am–2 pm with:
- Medication reminders
- Simple lunches & light housekeeping
- Transportation to doctor appointments (mileage reimbursed)
- Mostly just someone to keep him company and safe
Pay: $30–$34/hour cash/Venmo/Zelle. Long-term only. Must be vaccinated, background-checked, a non-smoker, and comfortable with a small dog. Bonus points if you love the Cubs or old Westerns. In your reply, please tell me the funniest thing a client has ever said to you — helps me know you actually read this!”
That one quirky question weeds out copy-paste applicants instantly.
Step 3 – My 60-Second Scan to Spot the Keepers
I ignore anyone who:
- Has zero or only 1–2 reviews
- Uses stock photos or no photo at all
- Writes “I’m caring and responsible” with nothing specific
- Doesn’t have the Care.com background check badge
I only message people who have:
- 15+ detailed reviews mentioning the same client multiple times (shows they stay long-term)
- A warm, personal photo (extra points if they’re pictured with a senior)
- A bio that tells a story, not a résumé
Step 4 – The 3 Questions I Ask on the First Call (Takes 10 Minutes)
- “Walk me through a typical day with your current or favorite past client.”
- “What would you do if Dad got agitated and insisted he already took his pills when he hadn’t?”
- “How many hours are you looking for right now, and when can you start?”
If their answers feel calm, thoughtful, and experienced, I book a paid 2-hour trial the same week.
Step 5 – Lock Them In Before Someone Else Does
The best caregivers get multiple offers daily. Once Lisa aced the trial with Dad, I immediately:
- Offered her the exact days/hours she wanted
- Put everything in writing (rate, duties, paid holidays, mileage)
- Paid her for the trial on the spot, so she knew I was serious
She turned down two other families the next day to stay with us.
Real Numbers From the Last 12 Months
- Dad’s care: $31/hour × 20 hours/week = ~$32,000/year
- Worth every penny compared to the $62,000+ the agency quoted
- Lisa just got a $3/hour raise because she’s family now
If you’re staring at the same scary situation I was — terrified of leaving your parent alone, overwhelmed by options, and not sure who to trust — do yourself a favor and start here: Care.com
Post the job tonight. You’ll have a shortlist of amazing people by the weekend. I promise — I’ve done it three times now, and it works every single time.
Good luck. Your parents (and your sanity) will thank you.
