Find Care: Compare Agency & Private Caregivers
Comparison chart, agency and private caregivers
For many families and seniors needing care, the choice between and agency and private caregiver can be a difficult one. The chart below compares the two across the most relevant criteria to help you make your decision:
| Tasks and Responsibilities | Agency Caregiver | Private Caregiver |
|---|---|---|
| Screening, hiring, managing your caregiver |
Agency bears responsibilty for: - Recruiting - Screening - Background/reference checks - Credential checks - Hiring/firing - Salary negotiation - Day-to-day management |
Care Recipient/ family bears responsibity for: - Recruiting - Screening - Background/reference checks - Credential checks - Hiring/firing - Salary negotiation - Day-to-day management |
| Paying your caregiver | Agency pays wages, withholds taxes, files required reports with state and federal government | Care Recipient/ family pays wages, withholds taxes, files required reports with state and federal government |
| Insurance in case of caregiveraccident/injury | Agency carries policy covering caregiver | Care Recipient/ family carries policy covering caregiver |
| Accept Long Term Care or Medical Insurance? | Many accept insurances for payment | Almost none accept insurances for payment |
| Back-up available in case of no-show? | Yes | No |
| Cost (range) | $11-$30/hr | $8-$20/hr |
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