As a caregiver, you have a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of those who trust you with their health and well being. It is a responsibility you should not take lightly. Choosing to work with a full service home care agency that screens, hires and trains their employees is the most professional approach to take when hiring a caregiver for your loved one. A reputable home care agency will conduct personal, professional and criminal background checks on all of their employees prior to hiring them, along with drug screenings.
Caregivers who are employed by a home care agency will be covered under the agency’s worker’s compensation insurance. Independent caregivers who are hired directly by a family do not have insurance coverage and could potentially be held responsible in the event of an accident or injury at the care recipient’s home.
A reputable caregiver agency will have a pool of prescreened workers who have passed background checks and have relevant experience. They also have a system in place for quickly finding replacement caregivers in the event of a no show or last minute cancellation. This allows families to be confident that their loved ones are being well taken care of and that the agency will handle any issues quickly and professionally.
Families who choose to hire independent caregivers can save money by not having to pay employer taxes and withholdings for Social Security, Medicare, federal and state income tax, and Federal Unemployment Tax. However, managing these payroll logistics can be complicated and confusing for some, especially if the family has never had to do this before. There are inexpensive third-party services that manage caregiver payroll and withholdings on behalf of the family, simplifying this process.
The choice to hire a private caregiver or go through a home care agency is a big decision for many families, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each route. No matter which path a family takes, it is recommended that they interview applicants together and ask plenty of questions. Also, they should be open and honest about their expectations for the caregiver and how they expect them to perform.
When making the decision to hire a caregiver, it is also a good idea for both the care receiver and their family to lock up or take out of the house any items that might be of particular value to them, such as heirloom jewelry, cash or credit cards. The possibility of theft is rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Caregiving is a privilege and an honor, so you must be sure you can rely on the person you hire to treat your loved ones with respect and dignity. It’s not an easy job, but it can be a very rewarding one as well. The right attitude is the most important factor in caring for others. caregiver agency hiring