Seven Important Questions to Ask When Hiring Paid Caregivers

From Staff Writers

Recent studies estimate that 34 million adults (16 percent of the population) provide care to adults who are 50 years or older in the United States.  Many times, family members need to hire paid caregivers in order to provide or supplement the care they are performing for their loved ones.

If facing this decision, the following questions will help in making a safe and educated decision: 

1. If the hired caregiver becomes ill or otherwise unavailable, what alternate arrangements can be made?

2. Are social security, federal and state taxes, and unemployment insurance paid so the family is not legally responsible?

3. Is there verification that the paid caregivers can legally work in the U.S.?

4. If the hired caregiver is injured, who is responsible? Remember that many homeowner’s insurance policies exclude such injuries via “domestic employee exclusions.”

5. Are criminal history background checks, state abuse registry checks, and prior work reference checks completed?

6. Is there bonding and insurance in place that would cover any injury to the client, damage, or theft? When an agency says they are “bonded,” family members should be sure that this covers injury or damages related to the caregiver(s) working in the home.

7. Assuming family is not available to supervise paid caregivers at all times, will there be documentation that substantiates the completion of services?

If the adult caregiver does not have the time and/or resources available to answer these important questions, the services of a professional home care agency or adult day care center - who should take responsibility for the items above as part of their fee - may be the right solution.

Right at Home is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned providers of in-home care and assistance services.