An in-home caregiver can be an invaluable lifeline for seniors wishing to age in place as well as their family members who may be unable to handle all of the caregiving duties themselves. When looking for potential caregivers for their loved one, many families start with word-of-mouth referrals from friends or neighbors of individuals looking for work or even online registries, such as Craig’s List. Families often resort to these methods because they are not aware of the range of services that home care agencies offer and the misconception that going through an agency is too time-consuming or expensive.

Here is a helpful video – The Most Important Question to Ask When Choosing An Agency

Dangers of Hiring an Independent Caregiver:

When you put your loved one’s well-being in the hands of another person, it is vital that you know that the individual is trustworthy, reliable, qualified, and capable. Unfortunately, some individuals claiming to be independent caregivers use their position to take advantage of those in their care. Elder abuse by caregivers can take many forms, including physical abuse, neglect, and financial fraud. There have even been incidents where live-in caregivers have refused to leave the home even after being fired by the family.

Benefits of Home Care Agencies:

At Allegiance Home Health, we believe that choosing a licensed home care agency is the best way to ensure that your loved one receives the level of care and security that they deserve.

  • The person caring for your family member is an employee of the agency. This means that the agency takes on the responsibility of performing background checks and validating training and credentials. The agency also provides ongoing training and supervision to ensure that the care is meeting your loved one’s needs and complying with applicable health and safety standards.
  • The agency is responsible for all withholding and payroll taxes as well as providing coverage for on-the-job injuries. If you hire someone independently, you either have to handle these issues yourself or trust that they are reporting everything properly. This is not only time-consuming, but it can also open the door to potential civil or criminal penalties.
  • A licensed home care agency also handles the logistics of finding a replacement caregiver when necessary to ensure that your loved one is never without the care that they need. This means that your life is not suddenly turned upside down if the caregiver is sick or unable to work.

As one of the nation’s top home care agencies, we offer a full range of medical and non-medical services delivered by licensed and thoroughly vetted employees. Our team can walk you through the process of setting up care for your loved from creating a customized care plan to dealing with the financial considerations. Call us today for more information.