People With Criminal Backgrounds Advertising as In-Home Caregivers

A theft conviction isn’t on most people’s dream resume for an in-home caregiver. But it just might be there anyway.

A report from the California Senate found that people who had been convicted for meth trafficking and major theft had advertised on Craigslist as in-home caregivers, says the investigative-reporting organization California Watch.

But you don’t need to worry about that if you’re going through an agency, right? Well, according to the article:

Many [California] in-home care agencies claim to conduct background checks for new hires but in several cases barely screened applicants, according to the report. The report also found some agencies approved caregivers who they knew had criminal convictions.

The report notes that most states regulate in-home care agencies, while California does not. You can read the article here: “Seniors at Risk of Hiring Caregivers With Criminal Pasts.”

Check back here tomorrow to see what Washington State is doing about a different area of eldercare that’s allegedly been misused.

You may also be interested in:

• “Background Checks on In-Home Caregivers Not Always Given”
•  ”Hiring In-Home Senior Caregivers: Agency Versus Individual Aides”

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If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.

Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents.