Screen Caregiver Same As Tenant?

[Arnie Guida]

I am in need of a caregiver for my 91 year old Mother. I am her sole caregiver, and it's gotten to the point where she cannot be left alone safely. The thought of a stranger in our house for hours does scare me a little. While there are firms like Visiting Angels, a tenant of ours suggested advertising on, or checking Craigslist for a caregiver, as the hourly rate would be less.

So while there is some peace of mind with a service like VA, the cost savings of an individual has some appeal.

I was thinking of doing a check similar to screening a tenant...crimes, judgements, credit check, evictions, etc...

Would you consider a private person or be more inclined to go with a firm, and if you did go with an individual, what kind of background check would you do?

Thank you,

Arnie