Why Use a Licensed Agency?

Why Use a Licensed Agency?

Using a licensed agency will better promote peace of mind.

Remaining at home with the assistance of a caregiver is the preferred living arrangement for many seniors and disabled who need help but wish to retain their independence.

To find the right caregiver, most people turn to a full service home care agency like Assisting Hands which screens, hires and trains its employees.

Sometimes, families believe they will save money by hiring a caregiver directly (i.e. under the table) rather than working with an agency.

As a result, when they hire someone under the table, they become the employer and are fully responsible for their caregiver employee.

More often than not, families don’t realize the risks and liabilities they get themselves into until it may be too late.

Thus, there are serious considerations that people need to be aware of before making important care decisions.

Benefits of Using a Licensed Agency

1. A licencsed home care agency bonds, insures, and covers their caregivers (i.e. employees) under worker’s compensation.
   • Independent (direct hire) caregivers who are not employed with an agency often don’t carry their own liability insurance or worker’s compensation.
   • If an accident or incident occurs on the job, the employer (the client) would likely be responsible, costing the client hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
   • Hiring under the table is like driving a car without a license and/or insurance.
2. A licensed home care agency will offer to provide a replacement if the caregiver misses a shift.
   • If an independent caregiver calls off 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.
3. Independent caregivers cannot be bonded.
   • Bonding provides theft protection for the client.
4. If hiring under the table, the client is the employer.
   • The client is therefore responsible for training, disciplinary action, and terminating the caregiver if necessary.
   • If using a home care agency, the agency handles these responsibilities.
5. If hiring a caregiver under the table, the client needs 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 licensed home care agency trains their caregivers, and can attest to their skill levels.
6. By law, the client (employer) is responsible for filing payroll taxes, tax forms, and verifying that the employee can legally work in the U.S.
   • Assisting Hands accounts for all these important HR tasks and maintains high-level compliance with CDSS at all times to meet audit expectations.

We Are an Experienced Agency

The team at Assisting Hands understands that in today’s tight economic times, saving money is more important than ever.

However, the client should carefully consider the risks and liabilities of hiring a caregiver under the table instead of working with a licensed home care agency.

Call us today to learn more and receive care that your loved ones need with peace of mind.