Home care agencies often charge a high fee for their services. This covers the cost of hiring, training and vetting caregivers. Agencies also cover payroll taxes and worker’s compensation insurance for their employees.
Those costs might seem minor, but they add up over time. Choosing an agency with lower fees may not be the best idea for your family.
1. You Can Rest Assured That Your Loved One Will Be Cared For
Choosing a caregivers agency is an important step to help your loved one get the in-home care they need. A home care agency can provide both medical and non-medical care. Non-medical care includes bathing, grooming and dressing assistance, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and transportation to doctor’s appointments, hair salons, theaters, social engagements and churches.
Agencies can also provide 24-hour care for your loved one. Caregivers working for an agency can sleep at night in a separate room and take turns taking shifts throughout the day with other live-in caregivers. Your loved ones can benefit from this type of care if they suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia and require constant supervision.
In addition, a caregivers agency can provide you with a list of qualified caregivers and help you select the right one for your needs. They also conduct background and reference checks and a thorough criminal record check on the caregivers. They will also cover worker’s compensation insurance, payroll taxes and scheduling.
2. You Can Be Assured That The Caregivers Are Well-Trained
A caregiver agency is a business that provides custodial and health services to help seniors live their best lives in the comfort of their homes. Unlike a registry service, which only refers you to caregivers but doesn’t do the hiring or payroll taxes for them, an agency is responsible for recruiting, screening, hiring, and training their workers.
They also conduct medical examinations, background checks and verification of licenses and qualifications so you can be sure your loved one is being well taken care of by someone who has the experience and credentials. They usually have a large pool of caregivers, so if one is sick or needs a day off, they can easily find another to cover for them.
Gaby explains that her team at Arosa Boston is always looking for ways to improve their customer experience and increase retention, and Google reviews are a great way to do that. She encourages her team to write as many reviews as possible because the more detail they include, the more value they add for her customers.
3. You Can Be Assured That Your Loved One Will Be Well-Cared For
While many people are not comfortable asking for help, if you or your loved one is in need of caregiving assistance, it’s important to know that there are options available. You can hire a caregiver through a home health agency, or you can find and hire an independent caregiver who provides in-home care services.
Agencies are responsible for hiring, screening, and training their caregivers. They also handle payroll taxes and professional liability insurance for their employees. This means that if your loved one is injured by their caregiver, you are covered.
Before you begin looking for a caregiver, talk with your family member and do an assessment to determine their needs. Be sure to take into account their preferences, limitations, and goals. You should also consider whether they have long-term care insurance or are enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program that allows them to self-direct their care. This will help you save time in finding the right caregiver for your loved one.
4. You Can Be Assured That Your Loved One Will Be Well-Looked After
Caregivers can become overwhelmed by the many roles they play, from nurse to life coach, nutritionist and social director. They can also suffer from caregiver burnout.
Family caregivers often find themselves missing work and using vacation time to care for a loved one, or even reducing their hours or leaving their job altogether. This can cause financial stress for the family.
Agencies usually have someone on staff vetting their workers and a team member to handle administrative tasks such as worker’s compensation and payroll. Agencies also have backup care available to help out if the original caregiver is sick or leaves.
Some families choose to hire independent caregivers directly, but that comes with added risks. For example, independent caregivers don’t typically have workers’ compensation and may not be insured in the event of a physical injury. If you decide to go the independent route, make sure the person you’re hiring has a valid drivers’ license and insurance in case of an accident.