Finding Non-Medical Home Care - What Are Your Options?

There are a many ways to go about getting non-medical support services inside the home of your elderly loved one. Regardless of what type and level of  home aid service you are seeking, your most important choice will come down to one question. Should you hire someone through an agency or an independent contractor? Let's take a closer look at each option.

Independent contractors, are interviewed and hired by a family member or the individual requiring assistance. While this option may seem less expensive, there are often hidden costs and risks involved.  Hiring an independent contractor may involve responsibility to pay applicable payroll taxes since the independent contractor may be considered an employee.  This can be verified by checking with your CPA in advance.  Should the independent contractor suffer an injury while on the job, you may be held responsible to pay medical bills and other related expenses.  Should the independent contractor become ill or take a vacation, they are not obligated to arrange for a replacement in their absence. When hiring an independent contractor you should always conduct a thorough background check and check personal references, if possible.  Otherwise, you could leave yourself or your loved one open to theft, fraud and, possibly, even abuse.   

Agencies  who employ and place non-medical home care personnel provide specific services to assist with daily activities including meal preparation, light housework, bathing, dressing and companionship. The agency relieves the customer of many potential problems that they would otherwise face if they were to employ an independent contractor themselves.   The agency is responsible for insurance, taxes, workers' compensation and bonding costs.  Also, should an employee become sick or otherwise unavailable, the agency will provide a replacement employee to perform the needed services.

The home care agency also provides training for its home care employees and ongoing supervision, as well. This assists the agency in monitoring and responding to the ever changing needs of their clients in order to ensure that the appropriate level of caregiver is assigned. Most importantly, the homecare agency is responsible to conduct background checks in accordance with state law.

In addition, should the needs of their customer change, the home care agency is usually licensed to provide a more advanced level of home care, including skilled nursing, for individuals. This means that as your loved one's physical or medical needs change, they do not need to find another home care agency to accommodate their needs. Working with one non-medical home care agency may also make it easier to access applicable reimbursement resources from Medicare.

Denise Glenn is an avid researcher and daughter of a beloved parent with Alzheimer's. She strives to present accurate and helpful information regarding elder care resources. Check out her newest website at medical-alert-devices.org Medical Alert Devices and learn about the latest in medical-alert-devices.org/medical-alarm-system Medical Alarm System.