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I am currently using an agency, however, it is expensive. I don't really want to advertise and go through a ton of phone calls and interviews. I don't have time for that because I am working 2 jobs. My children are leaving for college and I will not have any 'backup' care once they are gone. Are there websites or legitimate agencies out there that can provide a placement, or assist in screening private in-home care givers?

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mrsfleming2018, I just want to encourage you to hire through an agency and not an individual. I do realize it is more expensive but our family experienced financial scammery from a "really lovely" individual caregiver while she who was busy robbing from our vulnerable LO and getting him to change his PoA and will and sign the house over to her the entire time. Predators know who to target . And this person came "highly recommended". In the end it was far more stressful and costly and damaging.

An agency will offer the most protection from this type of abuse (but can't guarantee it). They vet their people for actual qualifications (including background checks). They can provide subs when your assigned person is sick or on vacation or suddenly quits. They are licensed, bonded and insured so if your assigned person does anything inappropriate, your family is protected.

Individual caregivers are considered your employees if you pay them directly more than $600 in a single tax year, rather than pay thru an agency. Any amount over $600 will require you to submit a 1099 form to the state for each person you've paid over that amount. If you get people through a placement agency, this may still be your responsibility so make sure you ask clarifying questions. Good luck!
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Geaton777 Aug 2019
Is that true even if the hired caregiver works for more than one private party? Doesn't that make them contract workers? I realize there are many criteria that dictate when someone is an employee v. contracted.
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mrsfleming2018, if you hire a private self-employed caregiver who is not part of a licensed Agency, please note that you may need to purchase "workman's comp" insurance through your homeowner's insurance carrier. This is recommended just in case the caregiver gets hurt on the job. Check with your insurance carrier.
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gdaughter Aug 2019
and you never know if someone will hurt themselves deliberately to get some paid time off...
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Hiring through an agency has some drawbacks, but I think the negatives are offset by the agency's being responsible for paperwork, taxes, liability insurance and so on. A reputable agency should also have vetted its employees so you are more likely to be protected from scammers. If you decide to hire independently instead of through an agancy, definitely seek references from trusted others for whom potential health care side have worked. There are some independent health care workers who are complete gems, but I would not just pick someone from ads in the paper.
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It will become more expensive if you hire someone whom later claims to have slipped and fallen in your home and sues your estate. An agency is covered with Workman's Compensation so they can't sue your estate. Agencies also do the required taxes.

You also run a higher risk of getting robbed and loved one abused hiring someone yourself.
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From your profile: "I am caring for my mother, living in my home with age-related decline, alzheimer's / dementia, arthritis, depression, incontinence, mobility problems, and osteoporosis."

And you're working 2 jobs? It will be very expensive to have agency caregiver coverage as your mother's needs increase over time. Do you even get a full night's sleep now? Have you considered placing your mother in a facility?

(By the way, I am echoing the other respoders here -- use an agency, NOT private caregivers that you pay under the table.)
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Mrs F,
It sounds as if you should stick with the agency. A private caregiver, read everything Tacy wrote very carefully.

To pay under the table is very risky, do not do it. Keep everything above board. You do not have time for interviews, etc. What if there are issues with the private caregiver? Who will manage that? So many complications to hire privately.

There are some posters here that will insist that these workers are 1099 employees. That is not at all true and could potentially get you into legal and IRS trouble.

See this AC article for starters:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/hiring-in-home-caregiver-affects-taxes-171023.htm

Also search the IRS website for information.

Agency caregiver, any problem, call them. Minimal management.

Who is paying caregiver? This should be mom's expense, not yours.
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The problem with agencies is that they do have high turnover so it is difficult to define a schedule and same workers on a regular basis. Until you establish a history with them it will not be easy.

But, on the positive side of that, caregiver rotation is the only way to find the caregivers that will work the best for the client.
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Messy. Very, very messy. I can tell you I would avoid Care.com which will charge you to have access for various periods of time. I am a professional social worker and thought fairly savvy after all my years in this business but was caught up in it. We used them once from a professional standpoint to hire our own caregivers through our office and the responses were dreadful. The marketing and stuff are slick, but the reality is TO ME, when I used them, it was almost like bait and switch. I'd look over those available (MANY) and make notes and then with the upgraded membership you were allowed direct contact. A majority were either non-responders, slow responders, or not available. So caredotcom made their money and lives happily ever after and I have wasted my time and money. Not to mention that if you hire privately you are going to have to learn how to keep track of hours/expenses/tax/social security. So, in the end, you might find it worth the horrible expense it is, knowing that the aide is getting far less than what you are paying.
If that is the route you want to take then you cannot afford NOT to take the time and energy to investigate thoroughly. Find a company that does criminal background checks, check the DMV record (you'll need consent) and even then there is likely going to be a time delay. Call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask about the Caregiver Support Program which may have funds for a short or longer period of time to help assist while you make your plan. It probably violates rules of the agency you're using to hire one of their people. Kill-fees can be very high. You might do slightly better with a post in a church bulletin. Do your employers have a sizeable base of employees and have to follow the FMLA? Does your mother qualify for any services? Wishing you lots of luck...
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Lots of good advice given so I’m gonna chime in with a couple things that I learned from my experience with finding someone to be at home with my husband while I am at work...
First, determine exactly what you need. The line between Caregiver and Home Care is often blurred. Does your mum require medical treatment/attention? That’s going to be Home Care or Home Health Care, that person will have training and certifications, and best hired throughout an agency (which typically handles taxes, workers comp).
Does she merely require assistance with the day-to-day stuff like bathing/dressing, preparing meals, light shopping. That’s a Caregiver position, usually less expensive, and usually a good place to start. With the Caregiver position comes a few value added benefits. Aside from the aforementioned daily tasks;
1. caregiver provides you peace of mind in knowing someone is there in case of an emergency, or avoiding an emergency.
2. CG provides companionship, and stimulating conversation, hobbies, or mutual interests. This was important for us. Ken has traveled the world, and well educated - In advance stages of Parkinson’s disease he has mobility issues, occasional hallucinations, balance and cognitive issues. But you get him started up and he will share some amazing stories from his travels. So I didn’t want someone who comes in, plops down and turns on the television for the day. I was fortunate to find that person (and remarkably they were right in front of me)
3. Although the position doesn’t require it, Ken’s CG will get a little bored and starts tidying the house to the point that I only need our housekeeper every other week (but that was sheer luck)
4. Finally, finding the right CG might be as easy as mentioning your need for someone to a coworker or neighbor. Word spread like wildfire and I had 5 candidates by the end of the day. And ended up hiring a former employee with whom Ken and I had become friends with after I left that company. She is retired now and on social security, so not looking for a full time job, and cannot make over a certain amount anyway.

I am not a tax, legal or medical professional so I can only speak on personal experience which might be totally wrong for you. Since the CG is a friend as well I know she’s not going to put us through any ugliness. She keeps a time sheet and I pay her every 2 weeks and then I issue a 1099. I increased my personal liability on my homeowners insurance (agent recommended) since there would be someone else in the house.
I will keep good thoughts for you and hope that it works out as easily and successfully as it did for us.
D
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Word of mouth. For my mom, we used someone that had cared for my sister-in-law's mom. Ask around. Ask on Facebook in your community.
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