Hiring a Caregiver
Know the Risks and Benefits of Where You Hire a Caregiver
Once a family realizes that a loved may need an in-home caregiver they face the challenge of finding a qualified caregiver. In the Sacramento area we have a variety of options and it takes time to learn about the industry. It is important for anyone considering home care to understand their options when searching for a caregiver.
Here are three common scenarios, with the advantages and disadvantages of each. We have a comparison on home care agencies and registries for further reading.
Low Cost, High Risk
Option 1: Hire a Caregiver Yourself
- Order a Criminal Background Check – Cost: $40 - $80/ caregiver
- You are the employer – responsible for calculating and deducting state & federal payroll taxes. - Additional cost - 19% of weekly payroll
- Obtain Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance. - Additional cost - 4% of weekly payroll
- What this means to you: If you pay a caregiver $20/hr. you owe Uncle Sam an additional $4.60, now or in the future for a total of 24.60/hr.
- If the caregiver fails to meet your needs, you will have to start over
- Ensure the worker is trained/certified to perform the level of care required.
- Negotiate your pay rate (as you will be paying the caregiver directly).
Moderate Cost, High Risk
Option 2: Use a Registry to Assist with Hiring a Caregiver
- The registry will charge a fee to help you hire the Caregiver
- The registry will do the advertising and will check references; you make the final selection
- You (not the registry) are the employer, responsible for supervision, payroll taxes & workers compensation - See above
Moderate to High Cost, Low Risk
Option 3: Hire a Home Care Agency to provide the Service
- The agency is the employer and takes care of screening, hiring & payroll.
- The agency is liable for the caregiver’s action during the course of employment.
- The agency is responsible for finding a replacement if performance is not satisfactory.
- The agency has liability insurance, covers payroll taxes and provides worker’s compensation.
- We take care of the worries while you get the care you are looking for.