How can I help my mom with dementia if she only speaks Spanish and can't communicate with her caregivers?

There are pitfalls to hiring a private person to care for your elder in that you probably need to do the background check yourself, and you also may need employer's insurance (check with your state). That doesn't mean you shouldn't go this route - just be aware. You may want to check with Catholic Charities for help and advice. Your mother doesn't need to be Catholic. As mentioned, a local college or university nursing department could be a good source. I'd be careful about answering want ads. Do check with each care agency in your local, too, in case some of them specialize in bilingual employees. Good luck. This is a growing problem that needs addressing nationwide.
Carol

I hate to be flippant, but come to California, we have trouble finding caregivers that speak enough English to be understood!

It's time to find your Mom a Spanish speaking caregiver. With my parents, we have hired private caregivers from different places. We have a local university with a nursing dept and have had a couple of students this semester. Also, I found a site called Care.com where you can find caregivers and caregivers look for positions. If your Mom has a church home, I would contact the parish priest or the minister for possible referrals. There's the county area agency on aging that hopefully can assist you with your search. It will be interesting reading other people's answers.

If you are paying for caregivers, insist that they speak Spanish. If the agencies in your area do not have caregivers that speak Spanish, tell them to start actively recruiting bilingual caregivers. If enough people insist, they will do so. Bilingual caregivers are available all over the country, but the agencies sometimes do nothing to actively recruit them and, in fact, are prejudiced against hiring them. The agencies may need to pay a premium to get bilingual caregivers, but they are worth it.

While you are searching for Spanish speaking caregivers - how about putting together a phrasebook for use by the caregivers? (It is better than nothing while you wait). You could hire a Spanish speake to do a few key translations "Are you hungry? Do you need your medicine? Are you cold? Do you need to go to the bathroom? etc" or you could use an online site like Babellfish to make these lists yourself.

Or you could make up pictorial cards for the basics

If you have the money there are "on the spot" voice translation products your caregivers could use. Google it.

Best of luck dear.