Mom or Dad needs help in the home, and you think you can find a caregiver on your own and cut costs – but what you don’t know about paying privately for a caregiver could cost you big. So, move into the role as an employer with your eyes wide open.
Dad has Alzheimer’s, and he can’t tell you for sure when the caregiver arrives or leaves – so how are you going to pay appropriately without some type of electronic system? Then again, the caregiver is not supervised – but you think you can do that yourself. You continue to get calls from the caregiver that you need sedating medications… which is not recommended in behavioral interventions for those with dementia. Over-medicating could be seen as “elder abuse” and you could be the target of that allegation.
The bigger issue is that you have to follow pertinent labor laws and state regulations when you hire a caregiver. Besides tracking hours carefully, you need workers’ compensation insurance, and you could be in for very big penalties if you misclassify your caregiver as an “independent contractor.”
If you do you could be liable for that misclassification and that costly mistake will lead to all back taxes (Social Security – you would have to pay both the employee’s portion and the employer’s) plus costly penalties. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, two-thirds of these “misclassification complaints” are brought forth by the worker.
So, protect yourself by using a trusted source for caregiving. Then you can be sure that source is covering all the necessary taxes, insurances, and offers some benefits to the caregivers you are entrusting with the lives of those you love.
Not all “home care agencies” cover the employer responsibilities – so ask if the agency you choose is the employer or if you have legal responsibilities you were not aware of!
Be alert – ask good questions – and secure responsible professionals to oversee the care of your parent.
The team at Eldercare Services is available to assist in finding solutions to your care needs with a complimentary assessment. All of our caregivers are employees who are screened, bonded, insured, and have undergone a comprehensive background check. We pay their taxes and workers’ compensation, as well as provide benefits including health insurance. Our caregivers are extensively trained by our professional staff, and we offer 24/7 support for any care or scheduling issues that may arise. We are among only a few Home Geriatric Care agencies in Northern California to be accredited by the Joint Commission and to have earned its Gold Seal of Approval. Contact us today!