Hiring Private Caregivers vs. Senior Helpers - What are Your Options?

When you are looking for professional caregivers for a loved one, one of the biggest decisions you will need to make is whether to choose a private caregiver or a caregiver from Senior Helpers. It is important to understand your options and how they may affect your loved one's care. 

Private Caregivers

A private caregiver is employed directly by the family of the person who needs care. You will either pay the caregiver directly or hire a payroll management company to handle billing and payments. As the employer, it is also important that you understand and follow federal and state tax laws. You may decide to hire an accountant or attorney who specializes in employment and taxes to assist you with this matter so you do not commit tax fraud. If hiring a payroll company, attorney, or other specialists, you must also budget for these additional expenses. 

In addition to payments, you need to do a background check, ask for and verify references, and arrange drug screening. Your responsibility to your loved one is to provide consistently safe care. These measures will help ensure you are hiring a qualified individual. You are also responsible for following local, state, and the U.S. Department of Labor's employment laws regarding hours worked, overtime, pay, etc.

When it comes to hiring a private caregiver, it can sometimes be easy to violate these rules. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has made a little noise about keeping an eye on and going after families who violate these laws - it would boost their membership and allow them more direct influence over private caregivers and domestic workers. The best way to keep your family's private life out of the spotlight is to make sure you are following all laws and regulations.

Senior Helpers

When you choose to hire a caregiver through Senior Helpers, you can skip the logistics and focus on your loved one. If you are hesitant about hiring a professional caregiver through a company, here's what you need to know: 

Covering Schedules

If your caregiver needs to take a personal day, decides not to show up, or takes another job without giving notice (it happens), Senior Helpers will assign another trained caregiver. You will not be without the help and care your loved one needs. 

Trained Caregivers

A reputable agency will provide training opportunities for caregivers that are in alignment with state requirements. This means agency caregivers will always know the best practices.

No Worrying About Hiring or Firing

You don't have to search for someone to hire on your own. If things don't work out, you don't have to dismiss them. Senior Helpers is an expert in caregiver management.

Credentials are Verified

An agency performs background checks on the caregivers they hire, so you know that their background and experience are real and legitimate. You can rest assured your loved one is in good hands. 

Final Thoughts

So which is right for your needs? It's true that hiring a private caregiver can often be significantly less expensive than hiring a company. However, your family takes on many additional risks when going this route. For instance, if you have not obtained worker's compensation insurance, it could cost you $50,000 or more if there is an incident.

It can be far more difficult to verify a private caregiver's background, and you are left without a safety net if there is theft, or the caregiver's personal hours change. If your family's needs or your loved one's condition changes, your private caregiver may not be qualified to take on more extensive duties. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons, and not just go with the cheapest option.

To learn more about hiring a qualified caregiver for in-home senior care, contact Senior Helpers of Chicago today.