A caregiving choice...

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

 We frequently get calls from families that are trying to choose between hiring a caregiver directly or going through an agency.  There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice, and we always try to work with our clients to help them make an educated decision.
 Towards that end, we've summarized the information you should be aware of into a couple of brief paragraphs below...

Hiring directly: When you hire a caregiver directly, consider all the tax and liability issues. As an employer, you are responsible for filing payroll taxes, tax forms, and verifying that the employee can legally work in the United States. You will need to withhold and pay Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes for aides that you hire.  If the caregiver becomes ill or unable to work for any reason, it is up to you to find a suitable fill in.  In addition, a private caregiver may not carry his or her own liability insurance or workers' compensation. If an accident occurs on the job, you could be responsible.  The benefit of hiring a caregiver directly is that you have more control over who you hire and usually costs less.

The agency route: When you hire through a home health agency, the agency is the employer, so you don't need to worry about tax and liability issues. The agency takes care of screening the employees, doing background checks, and providing insurance. In addition a licensed home care agency must provide ongoing supervision to its employees. It can help the employees deal with difficult family situations or changing needs. The agency may also be able to provide back-up if a regular caregiver is not available.  The downside of going through an agency is not having as much input into the selection of the caregiver. In addition, caregivers may change or alternate, but coverage is generally assured.

 It's important that you make decisions such as this in an informed and educated manner.  Never hesitate to ask questions and gather facts as it will help you in the long run.  As always, our office is happy to provide facts that will help you make the proper choice.  Feel free to call.