Caregivers help elderly people stay safe and comfortable at home with non-medical home care services. These aides can assist with bathing, dressing and toileting, meal preparation, grocery shopping and medication reminders. They can also accompany seniors to doctors’ appointments, social activities and theaters.
A caregiver is a licensed, insured, bonded professional who is trained to work with clients. Most agencies require their employees to pass a background check and provide references. They can also verify a caregiver’s credentials and certifications, which gives family members peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in good hands.
Hiring an independent caregiver can cost less than hiring through a home health care agency. However, it is important to consider all of the benefits of working with a home health care agency before making a decision.
Using an agency may also eliminate the time and hassle of finding, interviewing and training a caregiver. Additionally, the agency will handle worker’s compensation insurance and liability coverage in case of an on-the-job accident.
The client becomes the employer when they hire a private caregiver, so they are responsible for payroll taxes and withholdings. This can include calculating hours, submitting tax forms, withholding and paying Medicare, Social Security and federal unemployment taxes. It is also the responsibility of the client to ensure that the caregiver they are hiring can legally work in the United States. This can be a complicated process for many families, but there are inexpensive 3rd party services that manage payroll for independent caregivers on behalf of the client.
If the caregiver is a contractor, they may not have insurance to cover an on-the-job injury. In contrast, an employee of a home health care agency is covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation policy.
Some local governments offer publicly accessible registries of certified home health care workers who have been screened and verified by the government. However, these registries may not have the variety of caregivers that a home health care agency offers.
Considering the advantages of working with an agency, it makes more sense to use one for your home health care needs. Whether you are looking for short-term or long-term care, an agency can provide quality caregivers to meet your specific needs and exceed your expectations. For more information on how a caregiver can help your elderly parent or loved one, contact GreatAupair Senior Caregiver Agency near Manhattan. We can match you with the best candidate based on your specific caregiving needs. Call us today to get started. Our friendly team is here to help! We are ready to answer all of your questions about caregiving in Manhattan. GreatAupair is the fastest and easiest way to find senior homecare in Manhattan. Get started with a free, no-obligation homecare assessment now! GreatAupair has been trusted by thousands of families to help with their homecare needs. caregiver agency hiring