CNA can not give references?

She can if she obtains their referral in writing or electronically. She is not then sharing identities of clients and patients w/out their permission.

It’s best not to depend on written/phone recommendations. It is a truism that determined people will come up with false recommendations- you may be reading something they themselves wrote or you’re actually talking to one of their friends or a relative. The best way is to first Google the person’s name, look for people of the “right” age and in your area. If you are on Facebook, do a search for the person’s name, you can quietly learn a lot and checking out their page is anonymous. You would be surprised what comes up on the general Google search- issues with the law/courts appear in newspapers, so that pops up first.
Next- change an interior doorknob set (linen closet? spare bedroom? door to the basement?) to a locking set and store things in there you don’t ever want to lose (for me- pieces of my mom’s jewelry, extra bank checks, tax returns).
Then, when the person comes, of course, stick around to keep a distant check on what’s happening. As you feel comfortable, you can exit for longer periods of time.
Another consideration- if you go with an agency, it’s more expensive, but the workers have already been vetted and have a supervisor, so that person will sort out any problems or concerns. Also, if the CNA calls off, another will be sent. This is a career of primarily young women, so there can be alot of call-offs- the babysitter cancels, there’s car trouble, a child is sick, etc.
Lastly, CNAs are very appreciative if you are very clear as to what you want done. Having a list (in order) at the first visit is essential- for ex: please help him get up, get washed (there are the supplies), dressed (there are the clothes), make breakfast (this is what he eats, this is where he sits), give him his pills (here they are), these are the snacks he likes, this is the TV channel he likes, he should get a shower on these days (there are the supplies and extra towels), and on and on. Then add the extra jobs that will help you- please change his bed on shower days ( I’ll put out the sheets), please wash/dry/put away his clothes on these days (here is the laundry room, there are the supplies).
If you go with a private person, it’s also important to think about and be clear with each other about job expectations- do you expect the CNA will eat lunch with him or does she expect she will have a half-hour lunch to eat/relax/make a call or two out on the porch or in her car? Does she expect you to pay for the full agreed-upon time if she arrives late or needs to leave early or do you expect to pro-rate? Which holidays does she expect off (Federal, state)? Are you expecting she will drive him to places, is she comfortable with that and has a valid drivers’ license?
Getting off on the right foot from the very beginning will help set the tone, you’ll have thought about what you need/want and everybody knows what’s expected on each side.

This is such a helpful response. I have learned a lot and will now put into place your recommendations. I know this information will be useful to many others. I can't thank you enough! Terri

HIPAA does not prohibit sharing references with the permission of the former employers.

I personally would not hire someone without direct CNA references to care for my loved one - as a matter of fact, it would be a red flag for me. Would you hire a nanny for your child without checking references? In effect, that is what you would be doing.

@centre made the recommendation to go with an agency - that is what my friend does for her brother - she actually finds a provider who they think is good for him, then send them to the agency to get checked out, etc. She dodged a potential danger with one - he came across as perfect, but his driver's license was suspended even though he showed it to her.

My husband's geratrician recommended I put a credit freeze in place before hiring people to help at home. I already have one in place and she was surprised as no one else she counselled had one in place.
She also recommended hiring from an agency, only people who are bonded and insured.
Does the woman you are considering have her owninsurance? If she was injured while working for you would your homeowner's insurance cover her?
All the best.

More great input. I am going to check with my homeowners. I do have credit freezes at all three agencies. Have for years. I need to ask her about insurance.
I am so torn! She is such a good fit for us and we bonded quickly BUT, the next day when I texted her and I suggested that she ask some of her former clients if they would be willing to contact me, which would not violate HIPPA, she got very defensive. Even to the point where she said perhaps we were not a good match if I didn't trust her. I have been able to verify that her driver's license is valid, that she did graduate from the college she referenced, and that she does have a CNA license. She is also online as a care provider and she was a realtor as she has told me. So, all the information she supplied I have been able to verify. But, no references. She is very afraid of anything that might cause her to lose her license and is convinced that any contact with former clients would violate HIPPA. She is originally from the Dominican Republic and from what I can gather had a difficult time assimilating here when she came as a teen. I have to wonder if that has affected her as well. I guess at this point as nervous as I am from all the comments I am going to go forward but with some care and securing of personal information. Any other thoughts from all of you is always welcome. I will do what I can to protect us.