When selecting personalized home care assistance for a loved one, it’s hard to know how to evaluate your options. For many people it’s their first time seeking in home care assistance. Services are typically provided by one of three different methods including Full Service Home Care Agencies, Employment Agencies and Private Hire Independent Agency Contractors.
- Full Service Home Care Agencies – Water Tower Nursing Home Care (WTN) is a full service Home Services Agency licensed to operate in Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area. Full service agencies offer the broadest service level including being responsible for payment of all wages, employment taxes and unemployment insurance including the withholding of applicable social security, federal and state taxes for all home service workers (caregivers).
- Employment Agencies – Services offered by employment agencies vary from agency to agency. Often they are helping you identify a potential caregiver but their responsibilities may not go much beyond the location of the individual. You should check carefully to understand who is responsible for withholding taxes and verifying authorization to work in the USA. You may also be responsible for screening and checking references as well as securing liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Private Hire Independent Agency Contractor – When working with an individual or private hire independent agency contractor you are essentially the employer and carry most of the burden for hiring and managing the caregiver. Liability may be handled by either party but is most commonly the responsibility of the hiring party.