My MIL needs to hire someone to help her to free me up but balks at the $20/hour charged by local agencies. We might find a local woman and run a police check on her but I'm reading about people suing employers and wiping them out. We can't afford a "slip and fall" lawsuit from a caregiver. How have other dealt with this issue?
I have owned a business (not caregiving) so I know about business expenses. The days of making "big bucks" as a business owner are gone, especially when you have to pay for insurance. I know that WC ins is expensive.
The $10-$12/hr seems low, but surprisingly, in the past few years the wages have gone down. Example: In my area, receptionists used to get $14/hr, but now it's $11-$12/hr. So if you compare the caregiving jobs and other jobs, making $10/hr isn't so bad, especially since you can take a break, eat, talk in between working. Many regular jobs you do not get any lunches, breaks, and have to be on time. I am only referring to the low to mid level assisting companion jobs. If you have to do lifting, cleaning the house, cooking, changing urine bags then the wage should be higher.
You can always hire someone on your own. Sometimes it works out beautifully. Sometimes it doesn't. But an agency takes the hit for the times it doesn't work out beautifully. Just ask me about worker's comp claims. :( And the caregivers who really know how to work the system, they can run the insurance premiums up on a business, any business actually, and in the long run, who pays? Average Joe Blow. If you hire an individual to come into your home or your parent's home and they get hurt, what happens? It's your insurance. They do not cover themselves with work comp insurance. It's WAY too expensive. It's one of the largest liabilities in any business.
Sharon
When bringing an agency in, and I know what that is like, as I have done both, you as the person working lost 1/2 of your wage to the employer (agency), which to me seems like quite a benefit to them. Honestly, what it does is chase away the good caregivers, because I know few people that want to do this day in day out for $10.00 - 12.00 per hour. That is pre tax dollars. Just a thought
That won't happen if you have hired an individual. You need to think about what happens when that individual gets sick or has a broken down vehicle, or whatever.
Sharon
To me, that risk, especially higher in frail and sometims mobility compromised older folks, is not worth taking the chance.
The agency also can do background checks and screen candidates, which is easier for them than for you. In addition, they have a choice of workers of different capabilities and personalities who may be suitable, whereas you don't really know if one is until the work actually begins.