When a loved one needs help at home, many families consider hiring a caregiver on their own to save money. It can look less expensive at first. But when you hire someone directly, you become their employer, with all the responsibilities and risks that come with it. Here’s what to consider before you decide.
Hiring a Home Care Agency vs. a Private Caregiver
At a Glance
| Assisting Hands Home Care – Gilbert | Hiring a caregiver directly | |
|---|---|---|
| Background checks and screening | Done for you | Your responsibility |
| Training | Orientation, scenario practice and a supervised shadow shift | Varies; hard to verify |
| Liability insurance and bonding | Included | Usually none |
| Workers' compensation | Covered by the agency | You may be liable if they're hurt in your home |
| Backup if the caregiver is sick or on vacation | We send a replacement | You find coverage yourself |
| Payroll, taxes and work eligibility | Handled by us | Your responsibility as the employer |
| Supervision and care plan updates | Regular check-ins from our office | Up to you |
| If it's not a good fit | We match you with a new caregiver | You handle discipline or termination |
What You Take On When You Hire Directly
- You’re the employer. You’re responsible for interviewing, checking references, training, supervising and, if necessary, letting the caregiver go.
- You carry the risk. Private caregivers typically don’t carry their own liability insurance or bonding. If a caregiver is injured in your home or property goes missing, your family may be responsible, and your homeowner’s policy may not cover it.
- You handle the paperwork. As a household employer, you may be responsible for payroll taxes, year-end tax forms and verifying the caregiver is eligible to work in the U.S.
- You need a backup plan. If your caregiver calls in sick, takes a vacation or quits, there’s no one to step in, often at the moment your loved one needs help most.
- You judge the skill level. That’s especially hard when your loved one needs hands-on personal care, has limited mobility or is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The Assisting Hands Difference
At Assisting Hands Home Care – Gilbert, our caregivers are our employees, not contractors. Every caregiver is background checked, bonded and insured, and completes orientation and a supervised shadow shift before working on their own. We match caregivers to your loved one’s needs and personality, provide backup coverage, and check in regularly to make sure care is going well. You get the peace of mind of a professional team without the work of being an employer.
Let's Talk
Call (602) 851-8128 or schedule your free in-home consultation. We’ll answer your questions and help you decide what’s right for your family
