Did You Know?
Remaining at home with the assistance of a caregiver is the preferred living arrangement for many seniors and others who need some help but wish to retain their independence.
To find the right caregiver, most people turn to a full service home care agency like Clifton Homecare which screens, hires and trains its employees.
Families sometimes believe they will save some money by hiring a caregiver directly rather than working with an agency. However, when they hire someone directly, they become the employer and are fully responsible for their caregiver employee.
Important Considerations
There are important considerations that people should be aware of before making this important decision. Please click on a box below to find out more:
Last Minute Cancellations
A home care agency will provide a replacement if the caregiver cannot make it to work.
If an independent caregiver cancels or doesn’t show up, the client will need a back-up plan since there won’t be an agency involved to send a replacement.
Insurance & Liability
A home care agency that employs caregivers is insured and covers their employees with insurance and liability insurance.
Independent (direct hire) caregivers who do not work for an agency do not carry their own liability insurance. If an accident or other incident occurs on the job, the employer (the client) could be held liable, costing the client hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Employment Contract
If hiring directly, the client is the employer and is therefore responsible for training, disciplinary action and terminating the caregiver’s employment.
If using a home care agency, the agency handles these responsibilities.
Staff Training & Skills Level
If hiring a caregiver directly, the client needs to be able to assess the quality and skill level of the caregiver. This is especially important if the client requires hands-on personal care, has limited mobility, dementia or Alzheimer’s.
A quality home care agency trains and tests their caregivers, and can attest to their skill levels.
Legal Responsibilities
By law, the client (employer) is responsible for filing payroll taxes, tax forms, and verifying that the employee can legally work in the UK.
If using a home care agency, the agency handles these legal responsibilities.
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