Do you want to hire privately for in home care?

Posted: September 21, 2022, 3:50PM

Caring for someone is difficult. Doing it alone or when you're working ups the 'degree of difficulty' scale.

We have in-home non-medical agencies available to assist. Costs range around $25 / hour and up. There are also programs through senior centers or aging offices which may offer limited amounts of time. Many of my colleagues in home care and the senior centers report that staffing shortages are presenting challenges in their agencies.

Many families are turning to hiring privately. Prices may be a bit lower but there are other considerations. This is where you go into "employer mode". You need to consider references, taxes, withholding, taking care of absences if the worker is ill, and how to complete tax forms. You will probably need to talk to the state tax department and your accountant.

You also need to consider the tasks that need to be done, skill levels, how the potential employee would handle an emergency, do they have experience with your particular set of needs, and any other responsibilities that may occur with your care receiver.

For some information on hiring privately, contact me for the Altenheim Resource Services' booklet "In Home Assistance: Are You Thinking of Hiring Privately?"

What have your experiences been? Send me a comment!