Tips for Those Looking for a Daytime Caregiver

When you are looking for a caregiver for your child or a relative in need of care, it is a good idea to list the qualities you want in candidates and the tasks you expect them to perform. One of the points to consider while preparing this list is the working hours. Depending on expectations and conditions, in some cases, working with a daytime caregiver may be suitable, while in others, it may be appropriate to interview live-in caregiver candidates. Below, you can find suggestions that will help clarify your preference on this matter.

What Does a Daytime Caregiver Do?

The job description of a daytime caregiver varies depending on the condition of the person receiving care and the needs of the employer. Some daytime caregivers are sought to care for infants, while others may care for preschool or elementary school-aged children, and some are hired to assist elderly and/or sick individuals. In addition to their primary duties, they may also be expected to help with household chores and cooking.

Working hours for daytime caregivers can also vary based on the agreement made. Typically, caregivers who work this way operate between 08:00 – 18:00, but sometimes a different time frame can be agreed upon depending on the employer's situation and request.

Often, your daytime caregiver works on weekdays and takes weekends off, and they are responsible for completing all tasks assigned to them during the specified working hours. They should also provide you with regular updates on how the workday is going and inform you if any significant issues arise.

When is a Daytime Caregiver the Right Choice?

Working with a daytime or live-in babysitter always brings comfort and ease to people's lives. The same applies to caregivers for the sick and/or elderly.

A good caregiver that meets your needs allows you to feel generally more at ease, return to work without worrying, and maintain your social life. There are also other advantages to hiring a caregiver who loves their job and performs it correctly. However, before applying to a company saying, "I am looking for a caregiver" or placing a personal ad, you need to determine whether you want to interview daytime caregiver candidates or live-in caregiver candidates. While trying to make this decision, you should consider the following points:

1. Would Having Someone Live in Your Home Be a Problem for You?

Consider whether you are ready for the presence of someone who will be in your life 24/7 outside of the agreed days off. This will be the case with live-in caregivers. If you feel that this situation would disturb you, you should prefer daytime caregiver candidates.

If you are considering looking for a live-in caregiver, you should also think about whether your home's physical conditions are suitable for this. You will need to create a special living space for someone who will stay in your home throughout the day.

2. How Much Budget Can You Allocate for a Caregiver?

Caregiver fees vary based on the caregiver's qualifications, the tasks they will perform, and the duration of their work. A live-in caregiver will earn more than a daytime caregiver because their working hours are longer and they need to fully adapt to your life outside of their days off. If your budget is limited, daytime caregivers may be a more suitable choice for you.

3. How Soon Do You Need to Find a Caregiver?

If you are looking for a daytime caregiver, it is possible to find one in a short time, but finding a live-in caregiver may take longer. Especially if you are looking for a Turkish caregiver, as most local caregivers prefer to work during the daytime. Of course, there are those who will agree to work live-in, but since their numbers are not high, it may take time to find someone who meets your expectations.

If you are looking for a live-in caregiver, foreign caregivers may be a more suitable option for you. There are many candidates among Filipino caregivers and other foreign candidates who are willing to accept and even prefer live-in work.

4. You Should Think Carefully About Your Expectations and Needs

Some individuals or families have a busy social life. They often go out in the evenings or frequently host guests at home. You need to determine the working hours of your caregiver according to your situation. If you prefer to take care of your child or elderly relative in the evenings, you should choose a daytime caregiver. However, if you need someone around you in the evenings and nights for any reason, you should consider interviewing live-in caregivers.

5. Is Your Preference a Turkish Caregiver or a Foreign Caregiver?

Bureaucratic processes related to Turkish caregivers are easier than those for foreign caregivers. When it comes to insurance and similar processes, the procedures for foreigners are more detailed and complex. In terms of working hours, the number of live-in caregiver candidates among Turkish caregivers is lower than that of foreigners.

If you are looking for a daytime caregiver, you can quickly reach local caregivers who work this way, but most foreign caregivers prefer to work live-in. If you are looking for a caregiver who speaks a foreign language, you may prefer to turn to foreigners, as a significant portion of caregiver candidates who want to work in our country are individuals who speak foreign languages, especially English.

Daytime Caregiver Fees

One of the factors affecting daytime caregiver fees is location. Salaries paid to caregivers in large cities are higher than in smaller towns. Currently, we can say that daytime caregiver fees start at 2,750 TL in Istanbul and 2,500 TL in Ankara, but these are not fixed amounts. Caregiver fees also vary based on the qualifications of the staff and the services expected from them by the employer. Here are a few examples related to this topic:

*The fee paid to a caregiver who has received child development training is different from that of an untrained caregiver.

*If the caregiver will take care of two or more children, they will demand a higher fee.

*Experienced caregivers earn more than inexperienced ones.

*Daytime caregiver fees are more affordable compared to live-in caregivers.

*In cases of elderly and sick care, the condition of the individual in need of care affects the caregiver's fee. In some cases, the care of the patient may be more challenging, which may require paying the caregiver above average.

*The caregiver's age, reference status, qualifications, and the expectation of additional tasks (such as needing to help with household chores in addition to child care) also affect their fee.

Points to Consider When Looking for a Daytime Caregiver

It is normal and necessary to be meticulous when choosing a caregiver for your child or an elderly relative in need of care. Your caregiver should be someone reliable who can perform the tasks they need to do correctly and completely during the hours they will be serving alone. You wouldn't want to entrust your child or parent to just anyone, would you?

If you are saying, "I am looking for a daytime caregiver", we recommend that you consider the following points.

Condition and Needs of the Person to be Cared For

Do you need a baby caregiver or an elderly caregiver? Does your child have a condition that requires a caregiver with specific qualifications? Should the person caring for your elderly relative be physically strong? Does this person need to be around them 24/7, or is it sufficient for them to come at certain times of the day?

When determining the characteristics of the caregiver candidates you will hire, you should definitely consider such factors.

Daytime Caregiver Should Not Have Issues Arriving on Time

If you are looking for a daytime caregiver, your caregiver should arrive at your home at the exact time you agreed upon every day. If you need to leave home early in the morning and live in a large, crowded city with heavy traffic, you should prefer candidates who live nearby.

Even if there is someone else at home to greet them, the caregiver should arrive on time for their job, but in this case, occasional lateness may not disrupt your routine. However, if they must be at your home at the time you need to leave, it is important that they live nearby so they can arrive quickly and easily. In this case, it may also be possible to ask them for support outside of working hours in emergencies.

Ensure the Caregiver Has All the Required Qualities for the Job

The working hours of the caregiver will be determined according to your needs. You can find a caregiver who will work 8-8 hours a day, or you can find someone who will work 2-3 hours or stay overnight. The main thing is that they possess all the qualities required for the job both mentally and physically.

When selecting a caregiver for your children or relatives in need of care, you should ensure that the candidates have the qualifications to provide the services you expect and possess positive personality traits such as friendliness, calmness, cleanliness, communication skills, and patience.

Let's assume you are looking for a caregiver for an elderly and sick relative. The person who will care for them may need to have a certain level of physical strength. If they need to perform tasks such as wound care or changing diapers, you should specify this, as some individuals may not be able to do such things or may not be able to do them comfortably and properly. In this case, it would be good to agree with an experienced caregiver. Additionally, they should be patient and understanding, as elderly individuals who can speak may have a strong need to talk, may be capricious, and may be difficult to please. They should also be conscientious and perform their job completely, kindly, and cleanly even when no one is around.

If you are looking for a live-in or daytime caregiver for your most valuable possession, your child, you should ensure that the candidates are individuals who love children, are responsible, understanding, and patient. The caregiver for an active little one should have the energy to keep up with them. A caregiver who pays attention to personal hygiene and can express their feelings and thoughts clearly will also set a good example for your child in these matters and provide education.

If you want your child to start becoming familiar with one of the world's most widely spoken languages, English, from a young age, you should consider interviewing caregiver candidates who speak English and also inquire whether the candidates possess the qualities that a good child caregiver should have.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working with a Live-in Caregiver

When considering the advantages of hiring a live-in caregiver, the first thing that comes to mind is the length of working hours and the broad scope of the job description. Of course, a caregiver working live-in in your home also needs to sleep and rest as needed during the day. However, since you are in the same environment continuously, you do not need to look for other options for urgent and extra situations.

If you want a live-in caregiver, your home must be suitable for accommodating the caregiver as well. An adult who will stay in a house day and night should have their own private living space.

Families who do not like the idea of having someone else living in their home 24/7 prefer daytime caregiver candidates. This situation is, of course, also related to needs. In some cases, a caregiver who will provide service from morning to evening is sufficient, while in others, a live-in caregiver is necessary.

As mentioned above, Turkish caregivers tend to work more during the daytime. Therefore, if you need a live-in caregiver, you will find more alternatives among foreign caregivers. Managing bureaucratic processes such as work and residence permits for foreigners can be time-consuming and tedious. In this case, you can facilitate the process by contacting a reliable company that provides services in this field.

Finding a Daytime or Live-in Caregiver with Damla Human Resources

As the Damla Consultancy family, which has been serving in the field since 2005, we can connect you with live-in or daytime caregiver candidates who possess the desired qualities in a short time. For this, we kindly ask you to provide us with information about the qualities you are looking for in a caregiver and the tasks you want them to perform, considering the points we discussed above.

You should pay attention to preparing your request as completely as possible. This makes it easier for both parties. If you provide the necessary information regarding the age, working hours, educational background, references, and experience of the caregiver you are looking for, it will be easier for us to identify the most suitable candidates for you. If you provide detailed information about the caregiver's job description, your expectations, and the conditions you will provide, you will not face issues with the person you hire in this regard. Some caregivers may consider changing jobs if they are asked to perform tasks that were not mentioned during the interview after they start working, which may force you to enter a new search.