It’s natural to want to show love and support to our aging parents. After all, you want to take care of them just as well as they took care of you — and part of caring for them may mean bringing in additional assistance as their needs change. Caregivers can offer many important services to help older adults live safely and comfortably at home. In many cases, seniors and their families choose to hire them privately.
Whether you’re considering extra support for yourself or someone you love, it’s normal to have questions. In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about hiring the right private caregiver who can provide the appropriate amount of assistance for your unique situation.
What Is a Private Caregiver?
A private caregiver is a trained professional hired directly by families to help support their aging loved ones, often in the comfort of their own home. Because they’re not typically employed by an agency, private caregivers tend to charge lower rates, making them a more affordable option for many families.
Who Needs a Private Caregiver?
As our loved ones age, they may begin to require assistance with certain activities of daily living (ADLs). These can include things like eating, bathing, toileting, and other self-care activities. Recognizing these changes early can help guide you toward the right support for your family member’s unique needs.
Many families consider hiring a private caregiver after noticing subtle, or sometimes significant, changes in a loved one’s abilities or health, like:
- Struggling With Daily Routine: Some older adults may find certain tasks difficult to manage on their own. This can affect their ability to live alone safely. If you notice your aging parent has trouble with activities of daily living (ADLs), like getting dressed, cooking meals, or managing medication, they may benefit from a private caregiver.
- Safety Is Becoming a Concern: It’s natural to be concerned about a loved ones’ safety. For instance, if you notice more frequent accidents or falls, wandering episodes, or other close calls, a private caregiver can help provide the needed supervision to help your family member live safely at home.
- Caregiver Burnout: While caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, the day-to-day demands of supporting a loved one can take a toll on family caregivers. If you’re caring for an aging parent, hiring a private caregiver can allow you to take a break and recharge or attend to other responsibilities while ensuring your loved one’s needs are being supported.
- Recovery From Illness or Surgery: Families may also hire a private caregiver to help with recovery after surgery or a long hospital stay. During this time, private caregivers assist with important tasks like medication management, wound care and dressing, and mobility.
What Does a Private Caregiver Do?
Private caregivers provide a range of essential services. As such, their responsibilities can vary widely based on the needs of the person they’re caring for. Here are some common situations where hiring a private caregiver can be helpful:
- Personal Care: Some natural limitations of aging can make it harder for individuals to look after themselves in later life. Private caregivers can assist with personal care, including bathing and showering, grooming, dressing, and toileting, to help individuals live more comfortably.
- Light Medical Assistance: Private caregivers, like home health aides, can offer light medical assistance. This may include monitoring vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. They can also assist with managing medications, wound care and dressing, and organizing medical records.
- Assistance With Household Tasks: If certain housekeeping duties, like cleaning, laundry, and making the bed, are starting to become difficult to manage, hiring a private caregiver can help your family member get the support you need. They may also assist with tasks like meal preparation, grocery shopping, picking up medications, or running other errands.
- Companionship: Many seniors, especially those who live alone, may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. A private caregiver may offer meaningful companionship by engaging them in activities they enjoy, such as reading, playing games, going for walks, or just stopping by for a chat.
Pros of Hiring a Private Caregiver
Bringing in a caregiver can help families ensure their loved one gets the care they need while maintaining their dignity and independence. Here are some notable benefits of hiring a private caregiver:
- Personalized Support: Private caregivers often provide more personalized, one-on-one assistance, ensuring your loved one gets the care they truly need. They often build close relationships with those they care for, taking the time to understand daily routines, lifestyle preferences, and the things they enjoy. In contrast, agency caregivers often work with several clients at once, so they may not be able to offer the same level of attention and care.
- Added Flexibility: Private caregivers are usually not limited by agency hours or minimum shift requirements, which often means they can be more flexible with their schedule. For example, if you only need help for a few hours in the morning or someone to come three days a week, you can arrange that. As your needs change, you can speak directly with your caregiver to adjust the hours or services to fit your situation.
- Cost Savings: Agencies often charge higher rates to cover overhead costs, such as administrative fees and caregiver training. When hiring a private caregiver, you may find that it’s often more affordable than going through an agency. However, it’s important to note that in some states, private caregivers are classified as household employees. This means you may need to handle payroll, taxes, or workers’ compensation, depending on the requirements in your state.
- Companionship: Social interaction is especially important for seniors. Private caregivers may also help provide companionship, which can help ease feelings of loneliness among older adults.
- More Control: When families hire a caregiver through an agency, they might not always get the option to choose a caregiver whom they feel most comfortable with. However, hiring privately allows you to conduct interviews, check references on your own, and select someone who best meets your specific needs and preferences.
Cons of Hiring a Private Caregiver
While hiring a private caregiver can offer many wonderful benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks you may need to consider, including:
- Stressful Hiring Process: Hiring a private caregiver can be a stressful process for families. When hiring a private caregiver, you might find that you’re responsible for a range of tasks, including reviewing potential caregivers, scheduling in-person meetings, checking references, and running background checks. Sometimes it can take days or even weeks to find someone who feels like the right fit.
- No Ready Replacement: Another thing to keep in mind is that if your private caregiver gets sick, takes time off, or has an emergency, there may not be a ready replacement available. Unlike home care agencies that can usually send in a substitute, families who hire privately may have to find replacements on their own. This can be especially difficult if support is needed daily or around the clock.
- Potential Legal Challenges: Hiring a private caregiver may also come with some legal responsibilities. Depending on where you live, you could be considered an employer, meaning you might need to handle things like taxes, insurance, and following local labor laws. If these steps aren’t followed correctly, it could lead to legal or financial trouble later on. Consider speaking with a legal expert to help you understand your state’s guidelines.
- Management Responsibilities: Families that hire private caregivers may also have to work with the caregiver in coordinating their loved one’s care. This might include things like communicating what needs to be done each day, keeping records, or handling legal matters.
How Much Do Private Caregivers Cost?
As you explore additional assistance for yourself or someone you love, you might ask: how much do private caregivers cost? Families that plan to hire a private caregiver can expect to pay around $21 to $35 per hour.
However, these costs can vary significantly depending on several important factors:
- Location: One of the biggest influencers of caregiver costs is location. Families in more urban areas may pay more per hour compared to rural communities. On top of that, you might pay higher costs if there aren’t enough caregivers in your area to meet the number of families looking for help.
- Type of Assistance Needed: You might find that caregivers with specialized training, such as home health aides and nurses, typically charge higher rates. On the other hand, while caregivers with basic training might be less expensive, they may not be equipped to handle more complex needs.
- Schedule and Hours: Private caregivers often charge by the hour. Some providers also offer overnight care, 24-hour shifts, or live-in arrangements. Some caregivers may charge differently for these types of arrangements, which can be more cost-effective for families that need extensive support.
- Additional Expenses: In some cases, families might also need to cover expenses related to the caregiver’s job, including mileage reimbursement if they’re running errands or meal allowances during long shifts. These extra costs can add up, so it’s a good idea to discuss this upfront with your caregiver.
How to Pay for a Private Caregiver
Private caregivers can make a big difference in the lives of many seniors and their families. Fortunately, there are several options you can explore to help afford a caregiver for yourself or a loved one, including:
Private Pay (Out-of-Pocket)
Some families may choose to use private pay options, such as retirement funds, pensions, Social Security, or savings, to help cover their loved one’s caregiver costs. The biggest benefit of paying out of pocket is that you are not limited by insurance terms or government program requirements; you have the freedom to choose the exact provider that feels right for you.
However, paying out of pocket can be expensive over time, especially if your loved one needs around-the-clock care. If you’re considering this option, it may help to sit down with a financial advisor to help you organize your resources effectively.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance can help cover the costs of support services that aren’t typically paid for by regular health insurance or Medicare. This usually includes services that private caregivers often provide, such as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing, or eating. If your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, it may help cover all or part of the cost of hiring a private caregiver at home.
However, long-term policies vary widely. Some may require the caregiver to be licensed or work through an agency, while others may help pay for private caregiver costs under certain conditions. It’s a good idea to carefully review your specific policy to understand exactly what’s covered.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal program designed to help cover health care costs for individuals with limited income. In some cases, it may help cover the cost of a private caregiver — particularly if your loved one qualifies for a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. Depending on your state’s Medicaid program, the waiver may cover personal assistance, light medical support, and help with household tasks provided by a private caregiver.
Medicaid programs may vary by state, so it’s helpful to contact your local Medicaid office or Area Agency on Aging to find out what’s available and qualification requirements.
Veterans Benefits (VA Aid and Attendance or Homemaker Programs)
If your loved one is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, they may be eligible for financial help through the Aid and Attendance program, which provides financial assistance to eligible veterans. To qualify, they must meet service-specific requirements, such as serving during wartime and having a medical need for assistance. In some cases, the VA may also offer Homemaker and Home Health Aide Services, which provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) to help seniors live independently at home.
State and Local Programs
In addition to Medicaid, many states offer other programs to help seniors access in-home care. These programs are often run through local health departments, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), or state aging services. They may provide caregiver support, financial assistance, respite care, or even direct funding to help pay for a private caregiver. Some programs are designed specifically for low-income seniors, while others may assist based on age, disability, or medical need.
Depending on where you live, you might also find grant-funded services or nonprofit organizations that offer sliding-scale fees for caregiving help. You can visit your local AAA or senior resource center to learn what’s available in your area.
Support from Family and Friends
In many cases, adult children or close family members may share the responsibilities of caregiving. This can include taking on various caregiver duties or contributing financially to help pay for a private caregiver. This option can help ease the burden on one family caregiver.
Steps to Hiring a Private Caregiver
Hiring a caregiver can be a difficult and stressful process for many seniors and their families. If you’re unsure about how to hire a private caregiver for yourself or a senior you love, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Assess Your Loved One’s Needs
First, start by carefully assessing your family member’s needs. This assessment should include physical, emotional, and social care requirements. What type of assistance do they need daily? Do they need help with basic tasks like dressing, eating, and mobility, or do they require more specialized support? Having a clear understanding of your loved one’s needs can help guide you toward the type of care required. It also makes it a little easier to communicate these needs to your potential caregiver.
2. Determine Your Budget
Hiring a private caregiver can be costly, so it’s important to plan in advance. Start by determining how much you’re ready to spend on caregiver costs. If needed, you may consider exploring assistance programs and services to help cover you or your loved one’s costs. If they have long-term care insurance or another insurance policy, check to see if these can be used to cover some of the caregiver’s fees.
3. Find Candidates
There are multiple ways families can find private caregivers. Personal recommendations are often a good place to start. You can also reach out to relatives, close friends, or your health care provider and ask if they know any good caregivers. Additionally, there are several online platforms that can help connect you to a trusted caregiver, as well as community resources like local caregiver support groups or senior care agencies, which may have lists of available caregivers.
4. Narrow Your Options
Start by reviewing each caregiver’s resume or background information. Do they have previous experience with similar clients? What relevant certifications or training have they undergone? Next, conduct a phone interview to ask any important questions you might have. These can be about their approach to caregiving, their reliability, and how they handle difficult situations, such as emergencies or challenging behaviors. You might also want to ask about their schedule flexibility and availability, especially if your loved one requires round-the-clock support.
5. Schedule an In-Person Meeting
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of options, it’s time to meet a few potential caregivers in person. If you’re seeking additional support for someone you love, it’s always a good idea to involve them in the process. During the meeting, make a note of how the caregiver interacts with your loved one. Are they warm and polite? Do they possess good communication skills?
It’s also generally smart to conduct a background check. This can include checking references from previous employers and verification of any licenses or certifications. You may also request a driving record if the caregiver will be transporting your loved one.
6. Begin Trial Period
After selecting a caregiver, it’s a good idea to start with a trial period. This gives both you and your loved one a chance to see if the caregiver is a good fit. Observe how they interact with your loved one, their communication skills, and how they manage responsibilities.
7. Establish an Employment Agreement
Once you’ve found a caregiver who truly feels right, it’s important to sign an employment agreement. It helps outline key details like specific caregiver duties, including tasks like personal care, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. It may also specify the agreed-upon pay rate and when payments will be made, as well as the working hours and schedule. Be sure to discuss any time off, vacation days, or sick leave, and clarify any additional expectations you or your family member may have.
8. Ongoing Support and Review
After hiring a private caregiver, it’s important to keep checking in with your loved one.
Ask them about how they feel about the caregiver. Do they feel safe and cared for? Do they enjoy the caregiver’s company? If your family member is not comfortable, you might need to adjust the schedule, bring in more support, or, in some cases, try a different option.
It’s also a good idea to check in with the caregiver from time to time. Ask how things are going from their side like if they need anything or if they’ve noticed changes in your loved one’s condition.
Alternatives to Hiring a Private Caregiver
While hiring a private caregiver may be ideal for many families, there are other alternatives that might be worth exploring too:
- Family and Friends: In some cases, close relatives or friends can step in to help when needed. While this option is often more affordable for families, it can start to become overwhelming for inexperienced caregivers — especially as your loved one’s needs grow and become more complex.
- Government or Nonprofit Programs: Depending on your state, there may be services and programs that offer caregiver support, respite care, or financial help. You can reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging to find out what’s available and how to qualify.
Adult Daycare Services: These communities provide a variety of services to help older adults during the day, giving caregivers a chance to take a break or focus on other responsibilities. In addition to assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), many also offer meals, snacks, and social activities for seniors to enjoy. - Independent Contractors: Many caregiver registries help connect families with trusted caregivers. While these services may assist with things like background checks and basic paperwork, the family still has control over most of the decisions.
- Home Care Agencies: These companies provide caregivers who are trained, insured, and supervised by the agency. While the hourly rate is usually higher than hiring privately, the agency handles hiring, scheduling, background checks, and replacements if the caregiver is unavailable. Home care agencies can be an excellent option for individuals who are not comfortable managing care on their own.
- Assisted Living Communities: Assisted living communities are perfect for older adults who need a little more help with their daily routines. In these communities, residents usually live in private or semi-private apartments with access to shared areas and 24/7 caregiver support. Alongside receiving assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), residents receive delicious meals, an activity calendar with lots of events, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends.
- Hospice and Palliative Care Services: Palliative care services are aimed at improving the comfort and quality of life for individuals nearing the end of life, often due to terminal conditions. They might offer help with pain management routines, provide emotional support, and provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). They may also offer counseling services to help individuals and their families deal with difficult situations.
Life With StoryPoint Group Communities
At StoryPoint Group communities, we truly understand the unique challenges families go through to support their loved ones. We’ve been providing care for more than 40 years. That’s why we take time to understand each resident’s unique needs so we can provide the best possible assistance they deserve.
To learn more about what it’s like to live with us, contact us today or give us a call at 1-844-275-9990. We can’t wait to get to know you!
