Finding a Personal Care Attendant

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No one is 100% independent. In fact, we are all interdependent. We rely on natural and paid supports to help us with day-to-day tasks — including banking, house cleaning, yard maintenance, laundry, car maintenance, grocery shopping, cooking and more.

For many people with disabilities, the use of personal assistance services, also known as a personal care attendant, helps to maintain their independence.

Since our daughter’s acceptance into Texas Home Living (TxHmL), there have been many decisions to make.

First, we were asked if we wanted an agency to manage the program. The other option was to manage it ourselves. We talked with management agencies. We also talked with other parents, friends and families. We looked on the Internet.

Our final decision was to go with the Consumer Directed Service option. This meant that we had the responsibility to make choices on our own for the particular services that were needed. Along with that freedom came many options. All were important to making our personal plan successful. We do have the help of an agency. They help us with management of paperwork, payments and other state requirements. 

From the start, it was clear that our needs for a care provider were simple: not many hours, no medical issues, no specialized therapies and no work assistance. Sounds easy enough to find an attendant, right? Just ask a few friends. Post your interests in an email or on Facebook. Put notes up at the library or on church bulletin boards.

While many have found this successful, we did not. We had a few responses. But none met our needs.

We had to broaden our search. Might we have to go online to find a good candidate? Several friends and acquaintances have found their significant others on Match.com. And they are happily married. So do we dare look into a similar site to find an attendant for our family member? Why not?!

There are multiple websites where you can search for and compare caregivers in your area. We chose one site and took the plunge.

It was extremely easy. We found many possible options — more than we needed. We shrunk the list to 10 and contacted them all. The search was superb. Many people replied. One stood out more than the others. So we set up an interview. During the interview, my daughter’s stated goals were simple:

1. Be nice and patient.
2. Don’t treat me like a baby.
3. Be on time.
4. Don’t cancel at the last minute.
5. Don’t smoke.
6. Don't use your cellphone all the time (“unless somebody in her family or her dog was sick,” she said.)

It was a perfect match. She was hired and is now a member of our family — officially as an “attendant.” More importantly, she is a friend.

The takeaway from our family’s journey:

• It’s your responsibility to facilitate services for your family member.
• Advocate for what you want and need.
• Trust your instincts.
• Don’t hesitate to explore all options available.

The rewards will be many. Here is a parent article on finding caregivers. Other articles and information can be found using the search term "caregivers."