Are there disadvantages to hiring on our own? Would a caregiver rather be hired through an agency? What are the perks? It's just that agencies want $20 an hour! Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Cons - Figuring out payroll deductions can be a pain, if your caregiver is sick you don't have back up, getting proper liability insurance could be a problem, you will need to do your own criminal background checks and follow up with references.
Pros - It should cost less and you get to pick out someone you like vs whoever the agency sends you.
Hi Cwillie, I guess back up would be a concern. It's just that if I went through an agency, the back up wouldn't know the routine anyway and I'd probably need to miss work in either case. Are there any private caregivers that come insured already? Thanks Cwillie.
Hiring a your own caregiver may save a couple of dollars an hour, but it probably will end up being more. If you hire your own, you will be responsible for taxes, social security. You will also need to pay for background check. You may also want to have them tested for tuberculosis and drug use. An agency takes care of that. In the area where I live, most independent caregivers keep track of what agencies charge and ask for the same rate per hour. You will also have to hire replacement workers or fill-ins if your privately hired caregiver is absent. An agency takes care of that for you.
If you hire the person yourself, you become their employer, with all the responsibilities. If you know the person well, know they are qualified to provide the care, and are trustworthy and dependable, you may consider hiring that person.
An agency does a background check on all of their employees. They check for any legal problems, will check employees references, and will take care of all the employment issues. If one person doesn't work out for you, they will find someone else.
It is expensive to hire someone to care for your loved one, and most people couldn't afford it. If you can, hire the right person, so good care is provided. If you were hired to provide care for someone, how much would you expect to get paid? Compare that work with working in other jobs; I don't think $20 is too much.
Do you need someone 24 hours a day, or just for 4 hours a few days a week? If your loved one needs 24 hour care, then consider the cost of hiring that care to come into her home, with the cost of 24 hour, ATC nursing home care.
Benefits to person is living in their own home, a familiar environment.
Hi Cynthia, I agree that paying $20 an hour is a fair amount, but giving that kind of money to an agency to only receive $9-$10 hr help just doesn't seem like the best solution. Are there any companies that help you with navigating through the process of hiring a private caregiver? I just think there has to be a better way out there. The Google search continues :/ Thanks for replying, you've given me some things to think about.
We started with an agency and then went private. It was very expensive, they were leaving my mom without notifying anyone, stealing her meds and even a check. Yes, they had background checks. You can have prospective employees provide their own background check and drug screen so don’t let that deter you. You can also pay them more than an agency would. Mom does and ended up with better employees. Agencies around here charged $18.00 per hour but only paid $8.00 to their employees. Like anything, there are pros and cons to both sides. Also, don’t write someone off just because they’re NOT a CNA.
Hi Molly, That's awful you experienced that! It is definitely a concern of mine as well. I have gotten quotes from agencies as low as $18 an hour but I've heard that they pay the caregiver such a low amount. I just feel you kind of get what you pay for. When you say you went private, what do you mean exactly? Hiring under the table? There's risks involved with that too. I just want to find the best care possible and make sure all is covered on a liability stand point. Thanks for your response :)
Pros - It should cost less and you get to pick out someone you like vs whoever the agency sends you.
I guess back up would be a concern. It's just that if I went through an agency, the back up wouldn't know the routine anyway and I'd probably need to miss work in either case. Are there any private caregivers that come insured already? Thanks Cwillie.
An agency does a background check on all of their employees. They check for any legal problems, will check employees references, and will take care of all the employment issues. If one person doesn't work out for you, they will find someone else.
It is expensive to hire someone to care for your loved one, and most people couldn't afford it. If you can, hire the right person, so good care is provided. If you were hired to provide care for someone, how much would you expect to get paid? Compare that work with working in other jobs; I don't think $20 is too much.
Do you need someone 24 hours a day, or just for 4 hours a few days a week? If your loved one needs 24 hour care, then consider the cost of hiring that care to come into her home, with the cost of 24 hour, ATC nursing home care.
Benefits to person is living in their own home, a familiar environment.
I agree that paying $20 an hour is a fair amount, but giving that kind of money to an agency to only receive $9-$10 hr help just doesn't seem like the best solution. Are there any companies that help you with navigating through the process of hiring a private caregiver? I just think there has to be a better way out there. The Google search continues :/ Thanks for replying, you've given me some things to think about.
That's awful you experienced that! It is definitely a concern of mine as well. I have gotten quotes from agencies as low as $18 an hour but I've heard that they pay the caregiver such a low amount. I just feel you kind of get what you pay for. When you say you went private, what do you mean exactly? Hiring under the table? There's risks involved with that too. I just want to find the best care possible and make sure all is covered on a liability stand point. Thanks for your response :)