Why do family caregivers hesitate to hire professional caregivers?
According to Family Care Alliance, in 2015, about 43.5 million caregivers provided unpaid care for a loved one. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that number has only gone up. FCA estimates that most caregivers provide care for a senior for a duration of about four years. This can really take a toll on the caregiver, but many families are apprehensive to hire professional caregivers. It can be difficult to find good in-home care, but when you partner with a qualified home care agency in Colorado Springs, you can rest assured that your loved one will be taken care of.
Do you have a fear of hiring an under-qualified caregiver?
Not everyone has the qualifications to make sure your loved one is properly cared for. Senior home care is not just being a companion. You probably don’t have the resources to do professional background checks and to follow-up with references. Professional caregivers need oversight to ensure they don’t cross boundaries. Working with an agency frees up your time, because we do our due diligence to make sure all caregivers are qualified.
Are you afraid of legal and tax implications?
If you hire and pay a caregiver, you may be responsible for paying their taxes. You could get in trouble with the IRS if you don’t handle their wages correctly. You may have other obligations when hiring a private caregiver, such as liability insurance, in case they get injured. Elderly, at risk patients, can also be injured easily. If your loved one gets injured, you want to know that the caregiver wasn’t responsible. Gentle Shepherd Home Care manages all employer responsibilities for the caregiver, so you can be confident your loved one’s care is top priority.
Families may be concerned about finances when hiring a caregiver.
Another reason unpaid caregivers don’t want to hire a professional caregiver is the expense. After all, if someone is doing the work for free, why spend money? Senior care is an immense task, and it’s easy for unpaid caregivers to burn out. What are you going to do if you lose your main caregiver? A home care agency can help you navigate insurance and local aging resources to take care of your loved one and keep the financial burden low while giving your family caregiver a break.
There can be a sense of guilt when hiring a paid caregiver for a senior loved one.
Family caregivers often feel like they have to be the one to take care of their parent or spouse. It’s an admirable idea, but often, it’s not realistic to think that the family doesn’t need help. Caregivers often have many responsibilities, not only their seniors. In addition, unpaid caregivers may not have the qualifications themselves to handle all the tasks required for someone with dementia or other diseases. A home care agency can help you with caring for your loved one.
If you are caring for a senior loved one, contact Gentle Shepherd Home Care to learn how we can help. We offer many services and a complimentary care assessment to determine the best options for you and your loved one.
