If you have a loved one who might soon require in-home health care in Rockville, you are likely already exploring your options.
One of the most common questions clients have is how a caregiver from a home health care agency differs from an independent home health aide. On the surface, the differences may seem negligible. But when you dig a little deeper, however, the difference can be significant.
Ultimately, you and your family must make this important decision for yourselves. A better understanding of what the decision entails will help you make the right choice for your loved one.
Independent (Private) Home Health Aides & Caregivers
Independent or private home health aides do not work through a registered agency. They are typically independent contractors and may not have anyone providing oversight of their work. When you work with an independent, the relationship closely resembles that of an employer and an employee with all of the obligations and responsibilities that entails. You will be responsible for their hiring paperwork, compensation withholding, and all associated reporting, taxes, etc.
If you choose to hire an independent caregiver or home health aide instead of a caregiver or home health aide that is supervised by an agency, then you should consult an attorney prior to entering into an agreement. The complex issues of employment law and in-home care aides should not be approached lightly. There could be a significant legal and financial liability if you violate these laws.
Home Health Aides & Caregivers from Senior Care Agencies
Care agencies handle all aspects of employment, scheduling, supervision, and quality control. The agency will check the aide’s qualifications, references, verify licensure, and other aspects of the aide’s background. It becomes the agency’s responsibility – not yours – to find an alternative aide when the primary aide is out due to illness, vacation, etc. It is the agency’s responsibility – not yours – to ensure there is no disruption in your loved ones’ care.
The agency you choose should provide continuous training and performance monitoring to ensure their aides provide a level of care that aligns with the agency’s own culture and ethos.
Which Type of Home Health Care Aide Should You Choose?
At Comfort Home Care we understand how important choosing the right caregiver for your loved one is. We also know just how difficult the decision can be. Since 1999, we have been helping families, just like yours, navigate these hard decisions.
We have found that the most important element to great home health care is the relationship between the patient and their caregiver. Ultimately, you want to ensure your loved one is well cared for – they are clean, they are eating, they are taking their medications – and they are happy.
Sometimes, the first aide chosen to support your loved one isn’t the right fit. This is when the flexibility and convenience of having hired an agency outweighs the independent contractor. The agency will send over another caregiver. If you have chosen the independent contractor route then you will have to start the interview process all over again. It can take weeks, even months, to find another suitable caregiver…while your loved one is unhappy or you’ve had to step in and care for your loved one yourself.
If you would like to explore the opportunity of hiring a home health aide in Rockville, Comfort Home Care is here for you. Let us remove the frustration of finding the right aide, verifying their qualifications and licenses, filing their taxes, coordinating their schedules – including last-minute changes, and managing your loved ones’ care plan. Let us tailor a plan that best suits you, your family, and the needs of your loved one.
You will also have more reliable coverage because, if the regularly scheduled aide is unavailable, the agency has many other qualified aides they can send.
Contact us today to learn more about our highly qualified Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNAs), and the benefits of choosing us as your home health aide provider in Rockville, MD.
