By Michael Palomino

When your loved one can no longer live at home independently, where do you turn? Most people would enjoy receiving care assistance in the comfort of their own home, but for many, these questions can be a challenge to answer.

In San Diego, families face these decisions every day, and it’s important to shed light on what to know when hiring a caregiver.

For most individuals, the following are three avenues to explore when hiring a caregiver to provide non-medical homecare assistance for a loved one: Hire a private independent caregiver; hire a caregiving registry to find an independent caregiver; or hire a care agency.

Hiring an independent caregiver, such as your neighbor or family friend, may seem the easiest and most affordable route to take. However, you must be aware that you will take on the role of an employer and hold responsibility for payroll taxes, insurance to cover your liability, and any background checks that you wish to run. It is also important to note that homeowner insurance policies typically don’t cover any employees working in your home.

A local registry can qualify the caregiver and run a background check, but once the caregiver is placed in the home, the registry organization is no longer involved in the relationship. The family would then take on all the responsibilities of an employer. The registry model usually takes a “finder’s fee” for the caregiver placement, which can be a pricier than hiring someone on your own.  The cost for employing an independent caregiver or registry in San Diego can vary from $10 to $20 per hour.

The safer yet costly option would be to hire a caregiver through the agency model. Home care agencies act as the employer, and all employees (caregivers) are insured, bonded and covered under workers’ compensation, which means none of the risk and liabilities would fall upon the family. Agencies also run background checks, and some may require their employees to be CPR certified, and pass a current TB test.

Home care agencies also provide a level of management where they have the capabilities to train and supervise staff, along with providing any backup care that may be needed if the primary caregiver is unable to make his or her shift. The typical cost in San Diego for employing an agency ranges between $20 and $25 per hour.

On Jan. 1, 2016, the state of California instituted a bill that is now requiring all homecare aides to be registered with the state. This new law ensures that all caregivers providing non-medical assistance for individuals in the home need to be registered and have a completed live-scan/ background check. This new legislation will provide a level of oversight and an additional layer of protection for the population being cared for.

So if you are exploring caregiving options for your loved one, make sure the organization you are working with has their staff licensed with the state. The deadline for all California homecare agencies to have their caregivers licensed is July 1, 2016.

When searching for the right level of care for a loved one, it is important to take your time and gather as much information as possible, as well as set clear goals and expectations. It is critical to not only have the family on board with this decision, but the person ultimately receiving care. Resources for your homecare options can be found online, your local eldercare directory, or through various healthcare publications.

—Michael Palomino is San Diego Accounts Manager for Maxim Healthcare Services in its Mission Valley office