Private Caregiver vs. Home Care Agency
An honest look at the two ways families hire help at home.
Many families start by asking a friend for the name of a caregiver. Others call a licensed agency. Both can work. Here is what changes, so you can choose what is right for your family.
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What Changes With Each Choice
Who Is the Employer?
With a private hire, your family may become the employer. With an agency, the agency is the employer and handles payroll, taxes, and supervision.
Background Checks
With a private hire, you arrange checks yourself. A licensed agency must use caregivers listed on the state Home Care Aide Registry, with background clearance.
Insurance and Bond
A private hire may not be covered if they are hurt or something goes wrong. Licensed agencies must carry workers’ compensation, liability insurance, and a dishonesty bond.
Backup Coverage
If a private caregiver is sick, you need a new plan fast. An agency arranges coverage based on caregiver availability.
Cost
A private caregiver may cost less per hour. An agency costs more, but the price includes the employer duties, insurance, and backup.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
There is no single right answer. Some families are comfortable managing a caregiver themselves. Others want an agency to handle the details so they can focus on their loved one.
If you are hiring privately, talk with a tax professional about your duties as an employer, and check your insurance.
Before You Hire:
- Who will run payroll and taxes?
- What happens if the caregiver is sick or quits?
- Is the caregiver covered if they are hurt in our home?
- Who checks the caregiver’s background?
- Who will supervise the care and update the family?
How Better Choice Care Handles It
Our caregivers are W-2 employees of Better Choice Care. We handle payroll, scheduling, supervision, and backup coverage. Every client has a written service plan, and your family has one point of contact.
Want to Compare Your Options?
Call us. We will answer your questions honestly, even if you decide a private hire is right for you.