How do you find care for yourself or an aging parent? The choices can be overwhelming. Essentially, there are three choices: private hire, domestic referral agencies and full service companies.
With a private hire caregiver, you are responsible for finding, interviewing and conducting background checks on candidates. Then you must negotiate schedule, salary and benefits. A written contract clearly outlining duties and expectations is essential.
You are also responsible for payroll taxes, social security, unemployment taxes and workers compensation cost. It is imperative to get a rider on your homeowner’s insurance policy to protect your assets if anything should happen to the caregiver in your home. Private hire is usually the most inexpensive option, but also the riskiest. Having a family member or professional geriatric care manager supervising the care reduces that risk.
Domestic referral agencies are essentially registries. You call for service and a caregiver is placed in the home for a fee. The referral agencies do not employ the caregiver. You are still the employer, similar to private hire, and are responsible for all taxes and insurance. The referral agencies also do not supervise the caregiver. This increases the safety risk. Like a private hire, it is important that a family member or geriatric care manager oversee the care.
Full service agencies employ the caregivers. They hire, screen, train and supervise the employees and place them in the older adult’s home. The agency is responsible for all payroll taxes, social security, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance. A good full service agency can show you a copy of their liability insurance and carry some sort of bond. The agency supervises the caregivers, with some agencies providing care managers who directly oversee client cases, thereby lowering the risk. The cost of a full service agency is normally higher than a private hire or a domestic referral agency due to these factors; however, the risk is essentially lower.
When choosing homecare for yourself or an older adult, consider the risk level as well as the cost. Educate yourself and then interview several potential individuals or agencies. Finally, think ahead. Don’t wait for a crisis to begin searching for the best care for you or your loved one.
Roy Melin is the owner and Client Care Manager of Home Care Assistance of Santa Clarita, located at 23360 Valencia Boulevard, Suite P in Valencia. For more information, call 661-259-9914 or visit their website at www.HomeCareAssistanceSantaClarita.com.