The good news is that while it may seem daunting, finding the right caregiver doesn’t have to be impossible. There are two primary options most people have when it comes to in-home care: hiring a home care agency or a private independent caregiver.
At first, it may seem like an independent caregiver is the more affordable way to go when compared to a home care agency. However, there are other variables that complicate things. To start, in-home care is viewed as an employer-employee relationship, so employment laws and regulations need to be considered. This means that you bear responsibility for any federal or state employment taxes. This can cause the cost to be greater than an hourly rate. In addition, special insurance on top of a traditional homeowner’s policy may be needed in case an accident occurs. To find out how the tax requirements could impact you, contact your state employment department for state requirements or Publication 926 from the IRS for federal requirements.
Once this is done, you next need a complete job description as well as an employment agreement. Then, you likely will need to complete a thorough background check of a potential private caregiver, which would also include a credit review. You also need to verify that any candidate meets state licensing requirements, which allow them to offer “hands-on” care. The caregiver also must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, which you need a copy of. This form confirms the candidate can legally work in the United States. Both the I-9 form and Publication 926 are available for download at irs.gov/formspubs/ or can be ordered by calling (800) TAX-FORM.
With all the steps listed above, going with a home care agency will be a better option for most people. In addition to taking the burden of the process off of you, they can also provide peace of mind that the caregiver they select will be reputable.
