Hiring a Caregiver

Being a good care partner means acknowledging what you can and cannot do and knowing when to hire help. Adding a paid caregiver to your care team does not mean you are relinquishing your role as care partner. You are still managing the care of your loved one.

Agency vs. Private Caregiver

There are two main types of hired caregiving help available today: agency and private. There are pros and cons to each type and no right or wrong option—just what is right or wrong for you today.

Except in long-term care insurance cases, caregiving is generally not covered by insurance. This means that the biggest factor in the decision is often financial, as a private caregiver can be less expensive than an agency caregiver.  An agency caregiver, however, is normally screened, bonded and insured by the agency. The agency handles payroll and taxes. The agency may be able to provide a substitute if your assigned caregiver calls in sick or goes on vacation. The agency is also responsible for training. So though you’re paying more, you are generally getting more too. That said, the private route allows you more control over the process. You can choose a trusted friend or family member if you want.

The amount and type of caregiving needed will vary depending on your personal situation. There may be times when your loved one requires more help and your volunteers are unavailable, so a hired caregiver will be a necessity. In my case, the use of paid caregivers varied dramatically over the years. In the beginning I used part-time private help while doing the majority of the care myself. As time went on, I felt a desire to re-enter the work force and hired full-time care during the work week, splitting the time between an agency and private care. In later years I had to hire daily help and I remained the caregiver in the evening and overnight shifts. During the eight years and through all our changes in caregiving needs, I always remained Mom’s care partner, managing her needs and supervising her care.

Caregiving is similar to having domestic help and is classified similarly by the IRS. Be sure to read the details and discuss with your tax preparer because the tax laws differ if your caregiver is licensed or unlicensed.

• http://www.4nannytaxes.com/faq/HouseholdEmployeeOrContractor.cfm
• http://www.smilenlove.com/FAQs%20caregiver.htm

Because the caregiver is usually in the home and spends a good amount of time with the family and close family friends, it can be difficult to maintain a professional employer/employee relationship. It’s okay to have a personal relationship with your hired caregiver, but be prepared to set and enforce rules.

Making important health care decisions for a loved one can be very stressful on a family. You all want what’s best for your loved one, but you may disagree about how to go about it. This is normal. However, there are ways to approach the decision-making process that will make it smoother and produce rational outcomes. This is a good time to have family meetings and/or discussions to open communication and minimize hurt feelings and arguments.