By BEN ADEL | Special to the Palisadian-Post
Finding the right in-home caregiver for an elderly parent or loved one can be a challenging process. It is so important to take the time necessary to find someone who is qualified, experienced and trustworthy. Taking these considerations to heart will help ensure you find a reliable and qualified in-home caregiver who meets all of your needs.
Consider the Differences: Private vs. Agency Caregivers
A private caregiver is recognized as a professional that does not work for an agency. The most significant aspect often overlooked with hiring private care: A private caregiver is usually classified as an employee, and the client needing care (or their family) must take on the responsibility of being an employer.
In California specifically, private caregivers do not meet the requirements to be considered an independent contractor because their work location, salary and schedule are determined by the client’s family. Therefore, the family assumes responsibility for recruiting, hiring and managing their employee(s).
Hiring a caregiver through a home care agency may initially look more expensive than private care, but the management aspect that comes with an agency relationship makes all the difference. Families can have peace of mind knowing they do not have to carry the burden of being an employer. Instead, the agency is the employer and assumes all liabilities for its employees.
Home care agencies do the heavy lifting of recruiting, hiring and managing, so families do not have to. This provides families with more free time, flexibility and an extra layer of liability protection.
Background Checks Are Essential
Conducting a background check is important to ensure your loved one is in the right hands. You wouldn’t let just anyone into your loved one’s home, and this shouldn’t be the case for caregivers and home health aides either.
When hiring a private caregiver instead of an agency-managed caregiver, the burden for accessing and reviewing a potential caregiver’s background falls on the patient and family.
Reputable home care agencies take that burden off of your shoulders, and will ensure all employees are background checked and screened as a top priority for your comfort and security.
The Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act requires all caregivers (or health care aides, as they are referred to in the law) employed by a home care agency to successfully complete a background check through live scan before they can register with the state. It also created a searchable public online registry for caregivers and home care aides who have passed these checks.
Avoiding Surprises with Caregivers
In California, state agencies also receive automatic notifications of any arrests following registration, a process commonly referred to as “rap back.” Any criminal convictions occurring after the initial background check are then proactively reported to the designated agency or employer. No further fingerprinting is needed after they have begun employment.
Legally, individuals hired directly by patients have the option to apply for listing on the registry. However, they are not required to do so, meaning they do not require a background check to be hired.
Working with a home health care agency means you can be sure that the caregiver you are employing has passed all of these checks before they take on the important responsibility of care.
Home Care Credentials and Certifications Matter
California home care providers should have a number of credentials and certifications in order to provide quality care and services. The most reputable will provide documentation that they are: licensed by the California Department of Public Health, certified and approved by Medicare, accredited by the Joint Commission, certified by California Association for Health Services at Home, approved by California Department of Social Services, and Better Business Bureau accredited with A+ rating.
According to California’s Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, all home care organizations are required to be licensed by the Home Care Services Bureau. This provides families and their loved ones with the additional security of knowing that a prospective provider has met the rigorous requirements to obtain their license and is subject to on-site inspections.
In order to protect against potential lawsuits connected with accidents, theft or fraud, caregivers should always be bonded. Bonding protects you and your family if a contract is not fulfilled. Should a theft occur, you can file a claim with the bonding company to be compensated.
If you hire a person or an agency that is not bonded, there is no formal process to handle disputes, which can lead to hefty out-of-pocket expenses to remedy the damage, including litigation.
Ben Adel is founder of Luxe Homecare, a Pacific Palisades-based homecare agency offering in-home care, home health and hospice services in Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside. They offer round-the-clock support, including registered nurses (RN and LVN) and rehabilitation services. We require background checks for all of our staff to protect your loved ones from fraud. Contact the Luxe team at 310-459-3535 or visit luxehomecare.com.
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