If you don’t want to hire someone from an agency but would prefer to do it yourself to save some money you have to make sure you cover yourself.  Actually, I can not see any reason to hire someone directly.  Can you do a background check?  Do you want to go on a gut feeling that you can trust someone to take care of your loved one?

Agency personnel are bonded and insured.  Do you really want to take the risk that something can happen with your hire that will leave you with no recourse?

Even if you find someone you can trust how will you finalize the arrangement?  Does he/she get an annual raise?  Does he/she get vacation?  What happens when he/she can’t come on a particular day?  Who provides backup?  When we used an agency and the first companion decided this was not the right match, they provided another in home companion in a week.  How will you handle such an issue?

Agencies also know their limits.  In-home companions can not give out medication. Nurses are required when injections are administered.  Do you really want to fool around with this?

Another issue is withholding taxes and social security payments.  Imagine you don’t pay them to save some money and then you have to fire them.  They go to the unemployment office and when asked who they worked for the last two years and he/she says you.

The unemployment office contacts the I.R.S. and they come after you for back taxes, interest, and penalties.  Who needs such grief?

Stick with an agency