Everyone wants to save money. Between taxes, household expenses, health care costs, and the costs of vehicle ownership, saving money is a priority for many families. You want the best for your mom or dad, but you also have a budget in mind for the senior care they receive at home.
Here are reasons why hiring an under the table or private caregiver is not always the best idea.
Senior Care Agencies Run Many Background Checks and Screenings
Agencies run full background checks. These background checks usually entail looking into the past to check for proper licensing, criminal backgrounds, and past work histories. In addition, an agency is going to run drug screenings. If you’re hiring a person who responds to your ad, you may not have those resources at your disposal. You might be able to run a background check, but are you able to pay for and have the caregiver complete a drug screening?
What Happens if the Caregiver is Injured While in Your Mom or Dad’s House?
If an accident happens at your parent’s house, the caregiver may file a claim against your parent’s homeowner’s insurance to cover medical costs. You might also be responsible for paying worker’s comp while the caregiver recovers. If the injury is serious enough to end the caregiver’s career, disability benefits may come into play, too. Caregivers sent by an agency are covered under the agency’s insurance plans.
Will You Be Required to Pay Taxes?
If you hire a person to be a caregiver for your mom or dad, you may be required to pay some of the caregiver’s taxes. To avoid this, you must make sure the caregiver agrees to work as an independent contractor and, as a result, knows he or she is responsible for paying all self-employment taxes. If you must cover the employment taxes, you’ll be paying your share of the unemployment, state, Social Security, and federal taxes and deducting the caregiver’s share from his or her paycheck. With an agency, you pay them and they pay their caregivers.
Many senior care agencies understand clients have budgets and work with them to arrange an affordable home care plan. As your mom or dad’s needs change, new plans can be created to ensure nothing gets overlooked. Call our senior care agency today and learn more about the range of services available to your mom or dad.
