Senior Home Care vs Independent Caregiver

Posted by: matthew

Monica Galicia, Human Resources Director for All Valley Home Care in Las Mesa, California shares her advice for making a decision between hiring an independent caregiver or a senior home care agency.

A critical decision that many family caregivers face when looking for respite care is whether to go with a senior home care agency or hire an independent caregiver. Before deciding which direction you and your family want to go, there are many things you should keep in mind such as:  the level of care that is needed, your family’s personal preferences and financial resources.

Many families lean toward hiring an independent caregiver because the cost is typically lower, however, there are several negative aspects of hiring an independent caregiver. In this blog I will explore each option to help you decide what is the best choice for you and your family.

Senior Home Care Agency

A Senior Home Care agency may be a good choice for you and your loved ones if you would like an outside entity that:

• Will screen caregivers and do thorough background checks
• Assumes full liability for all care provided
• Supervises caregivers and will replace them if necessary
• May require caregivers to have safety barriers in place such as current CPR cards, TB tests, DMV reports and auto insurance
• Takes responsibility for caregivers’ benefits, vacation days, and sick days
• Has a replacement caregiver available in case your regular caregiver calls in sick
• Lets you and your family interview several different caregivers to give you a choices and the control to decide who you feel the most comfortable with.
• Is flexible on how you want to use your time (i.e. splitting shifts or changing schedules)
• For those who can not afford to pay privately, there are some sources of support to pay for home care such as:
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • V.A. Aid and Attendant Program
  • SCRC (Southern Caregivers Resource Center)
  • MS Society
  • Hospice Respite Funds

For clients who have a very low income and are eligible for Medi-Cal or Medicaid, there is a program called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This County-run program pays caregivers to provide senior home care services for those who qualify.

Independent Caregiver

Though it can be less expensive to hire a private caregiver, there are a lot of risks involved. You may find a great person on an attendant registry at a local community-based program, advertised in a local newspaper or by word of mouth, but that does not mean that the caregiver is dependable or has the necessary skills to help you. To find out, you must do the leg work that senior home care agency would otherwise take care of for you such as:

• Taking time to locate and interview all applicants and check on work references.
• Background checks you or family may want to run, which can be costly.
• Assuming responsibility for verifying CPR and a negative TB test. If your family member needs any kind of transportation it would be wise to require a driving record and verify auto insurance also.
• Providing back up care when your independent caregiver calls in sick or is otherwise unable to work.
• Liability if the caregiver is injured the home.
• Responsibilities as the employer to file social security and pay taxes.
• Making sure the caregiver has the skills necessary to provide safe and quality care. It is difficult to verify current credentials or training.

Many families are unaware of the risk and liabilities that are assumed when an independent caregiver is hired to care for a loved one. The ultimate choice is up to you and your family. Making a decision based on your needs and preferences is your first step. If you are considering hiring a independent caregiver simply to save money, however, you should take into consideration all of the liability, responsibility, and vigilance that will be required.A good choice may be to go through a senior home care agency that will work with you and your families wants and needs.

You can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form for more assistance and information. Get Help Now!