Why is it so hard to find families who want to hire private caregivers?

People don't want to have to go through all the rigmarole of being an employer - tax withholdings, workers compensation, extra insurance etc., not to mention the lengthy interview process. They don't want to be dependent on one person who may turn out to be unsuited, They don't want to have no back up if their caregiver is sick or needs time off for another reason, and for vacations.
That said there are many people who would rather hire privately because they can get more for their money, perhaps you aren't advertising in the right places?

The way you are handling your pay does seem like the simplest way, however, it is completely illegal and puts everyone involved at risk.

You, because you have no unemployment insurance for the in between times. No worker's compensation insurance in the event that you get injured.

Them, because they can be penalized by Medicaid and not be eligible for assistance for the length of time the money paid to you could have paid for facility care. If you get injured and can not work, now they get to go through a lawsuit because you will not just grin and bear it.

Those are only a couple of examples. If you are really interested in proving that you are a reliable honest caregiver then you need to have things required by law in place, that speaks volumes to a potential customer.

I for one see your situation as a disaster that is avoidable and I question your reliability because you are so willing to disregard the law for your profession.

Maybe because they don’t want to have to deal with the business side of it? Legally they have to have some sort of workers comp insurance & pay payroll taxes & make the SS & Medicare contributions. They can’t just write out a check on payday & call it a day.....

I was told about a husband and wife, both passed away a few years back, had a private caretaker. Well that caretaker got "injured" on the job and sued the couple. They lost everything. Perhaps they didn't have the correct homeowner insurance and/or the caretaker found an easy way to "cash" in. This may be one reason. Do go out and get a business license, insurance, workmans compensation insurance, or whatever you may need, and have it readily available to show your new potential clients. Perhaps you already have it. Accidents happen especially with elder people. I know too many elders who have fallen or were dropped for one reason or another. I know three people who died from being dropped. They didn't fall, they were dropped.

If I hire a private care-giver I then become an employer. I've been an employer. It's a lot of work. Piles of employee rules and regulations to follow, liability insurance to be purchased, paperwork to fill out, taxes to be paid, worries about who steps in when my carer is sick or gets injured etc etc. It's expensive and time consuming. It's one more major stressor in an already stressed out situation. Many people just don't have the energy, money, and/or skills to pull it off. If I hire an agency I get to skip all that paperwork, pay a flat rate for a specified service and if one caregiver is sick or injured they send over another. I think that's why most people hire from a company rather than hiring a private carer.
If you have your own business license, liability insurance, are bonded, have backup carers lined up for when you are ill, etc and operate as a company on your own then you could be hired as an independent contractor which might make someone more likely to consider you.

In my area, the nationwide caregiving Agencies are at the top of the list. My Dad had used one agency for over a year with zero problems. Not once was Dad ever left on his own because no one had showed up.

The Agency was licensed, bonded, insured, and had workman's comp for their employees in case one should get hurt on the job. The caregivers had their flu shots and yearly TB tests. Background checks and fingerprinted. The agency had monthly meetings and classes for their employees. I couldn't have asked for anything better. The cost was $30/hour which is the going rate in my area.

My Dad got to interview many of the caregivers when they came for their shift and he choose two to be on a regular schedule. These two caregivers had similar upbringing as Dad so they had a lot in common, and they both had a great sense of humor as my Dad was pretty funny. Even when my Dad sold his house and moved to senior living, he brought along the two caregivers, thus it gave Dad a routine he needed.

Rndaughter2, the Agency sent over a Rep who toured the house, she interviewed me about Dad's needs, and I in turn interviewed her. Dad needed someone to help him with daily routines, plus light housekeeping, and light cooking. Dad's day time caregiver would take Dad at noon time over to see my Mom who was living in long-term-care, and she helped feed Mom. The caregiver also took Dad to his numerous doctor appointments and was involved with his health. One caregiver would help Dad with light yardwork, she was glad to help as she wanted Dad out of the house to get some fresh air.

We used care.com to find caregivers and have been very blessed to find wonderful women there for mom. Generally we stick with our caregiver until they need to move on for marriage or visa expiring etc. Now they usually help find their replacement from their friends. So ask your caregiver friends to keep an ear out. Also advertise in 55+ community newsletters. Hope this helps!

I am not saying this about you.

But my god. Read the post about caregiver taking pics of mom's stuff and sending to some man.

We ruled out private caregivers because so many are unreliable. Dink around on phone. Are lazy.,did I mention unreliable.

Again, I am not saying this about you. But goodness. It's appalling.

This is an industry which needs more regulation.

That said, attorneys with whom I work, have used a private caregiver for years. One in particular. But she is beyond our reach financially, but very good.

And that referral network is word of mouth amongst very very high earners.

And they pay her insurance and set up a 401k. She is well known in the FIRM. she is never without work. When one passes, others snatch her up.

https://seniorservicebusiness.com/4-things-you-must-know-before-starting-a-non-medical-home-care-business/

Non-medical is different that medical,


Please look at seniorservicebusiness.com

They have all the laws rules, and is a good way, if someone wants to do it right.

It is all about being real, honest, caring and reporting to the IRS.

It seems that it’s the luck of the draw, with agencies, the people they employ, and private carers. ‘I will pay my own tax and insurance’ doesn’t comply with the legal requirements, so the employer is either ignorant or very optimistic. If there is enough in this for you, it might be worth thinking about setting up your own business, with a $2 company or contracting under a business name. There will be a lot for you to learn and paperwork to do, so perhaps it’s more realistic if there is more than one of you and/or you hire a person or a business to do the business details. There are many small book-keeping firms that do this for small businesses and are more reliable than a bad carer! In any event, you could advertise at Marketplace, Craig’s List, a local Day Care centre? - anywhere likely to be seen by your target group. But you may still need to have a formal business support structure, unless you find another ignorant or optimistic employer family. Good luck.