The Benefits Of Hiring Caregiver Through An Agency In Houston
Part 1
If a loved one is no longer able to care for themselves or live independently without help, your best option is to call in a professional and reputable caregiver. Even though many people tend to assume that it is more convenient and much cheaper to hire an independent and respected caretaker for elderly home care in Houston, there are plenty of reasons why this is not always a great option.
Hiring someone to visit your senior loved one’s home comes with its fair share of problems, including scheduling availability, tax, and legal issues, as well as safety concerns. However, when you hire a caregiver through a reputable home care agency, you are assured that you will get someone who will take care of your close friend or relative in a respectful and professional manner.
Background Screening
Applicants typically provide their names, address, and Social Security numbers, and this information is submitted to a background investigation program or entity. Various states also capture and scan fingerprints to make sure that the names match the details provided by the candidates; however, not all states do this.
While an applicant won’t be disqualified for minor traffic violations, a driving record that indicates a history of unsafe driving will be taken into serious consideration. An applicant’s credit history is also checked, and depending on the information received, some agencies may choose to reject the applicant.
A professional home health agency provides clients with sufficient information regarding their background check process and outlines the kinds of checks the applicants undergo. Some agencies will even provide you with statistics about the percentage of candidates who pass their screening process. This serves as an indicator of their hiring standards.
The following are some additional checks that may be conducted:
- Nutritional training
- The candidate’s physical capabilities
- Chest X-ray and tuberculosis testing
- Knowledge of HIPAA regulations
- The applicant’s hands-on training including fall prevention certification, patient transfer, and essential health and safety training
Experience
Some home health agencies will only employ seasoned caregivers. In the state of Texas, home health caregivers undergo a state-approved training program, after which they are certified by the government if successful. Successful applicants are considered qualified to carry out hospice and senior care anywhere in Texas. Candidates that aren’t certified should be able to provide verifiable past employment records that indicate that they have sufficient practical experience to take care of seniors and hospice patients.
Request the agency to provide you with the credentials of the person who will provide home care to your loved one in Houston. A reputable agency will be honest and transparent with the information regarding the person who will be caring for your loved one.
Taxes & Worker’s Compensation
While some home health agencies employ the caregivers, others contract with the workers. Your best option is to hire an agency that handles all payroll taxes, healthcare payments, and Social Security, and that hires workers as employees, not contracted caregivers. Employed workers are normally bonded and insured by the agency; however, you need to ensure that you verify the agency before signing up with them. The agency will be responsible for ensuring that all state and federal laws and regulations are adhered to.
Give us a call or contact Assisting Hands Houston today for more pieces of information! Visit our blog for more related articles. Click here for the second issue of this article.
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