Comfort Home Care

Maryland & Washington, D.C. In-Home Care Agency

Serving Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Washington, D.C.
301-984-1401
Schedule a Free Consultation
  • Home
  • In-Home Care Services
    • Alzheimer’s / Dementia
    • Assisted Living Facility Care
    • End-of-life Care
    • Fall Prevention
    • In-Facility Care
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Respite In-Home Care
    • Senior In-Home Care
    • Sick/Injured Recovery Care
    • Special Needs Care
    • The Six Activities of Daily Living
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Home Care FAQs
    • When Do You Need an Aide?
    • 17 Signs That Your Loved One Needs At-Home Care
    • Free Guides
  • About
    • About Us
    • The Comfort Home Care Difference
    • Reviews
  • Careers
  • Areas Served
    • Barnesville
    • Bethesda
    • Brookeville
    • Chevy Chase
    • Gaithersburg
    • Garrett Park
    • Germantown
    • Glen Echo
    • Kensington
    • Laytonsville
    • Poolesville
    • Potomac
    • Rockville
    • Silver Spring
    • Somerset
    • Takoma Park
    • Washington, D.C.
    • Washington Grove
    • Hyattsville
    • College Park
    • Beltsville
    • Greenbelt
    • Laurel
    • Takoma Park
    • University Park
  • Contact Us
    • Send a Referral
    • Schedule Free Consultation

Agency vs. Independent Home Health Aides in Rockville

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.

Home health aide provider in Rockville MD

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.

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn why couples care is an affordable solution for families.

In-Home Care Providers: Agency Vs. Independent Contractors

Agency Vs. Independent In-home Care Provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics about Agency Vs. Independent Contractors In-Home Care Providers.

Need Help Selecting an In-Home Caregiver?

how to pick an in-home care provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics before you choose!

Is it Time for In-Home Care

Is it Time for In-Home Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a to know when to use In-Home Care? Read our guide "Is it Time for In-Home Care"!

A Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care

Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a guide for In-home dementia care? Read our family guide for In-home dementia care!

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know what to do after coming home from rehab? Read our guide "Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?"!

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the changing care needs of parkinson's disease ? Read our guide "The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients"!

Understanding Strokes and Recovery

Understanding Strokes and Recovery
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the warning signs of strokes? Read our guide "Understanding Strokes and Recovery"!

Categories: Blog, Homecare News, Senior Care, Senior Lifestyle

Join Our Mailing List

Have A Question?

Name*
Patient Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get A Free Consultation

301-984-7681

Get Our Free Guide on “How Do I Pick an In-Home Care Provider?”

Learns the ins and outs on how to pick a caregiver who will give you the best service for your loved one.

Click Here!

FacebookLinkedIn
121 Congressional Lane, Suite 201 Rockville, MD 20852
4000 Albemarle St., NW, Suite LL15 Washington, D.C., 20016
301-984-1401 | Fax: 301-984-1402

© Copyright 2016-2023 Comfort Home Care
All Rights Reserved