When a loved one needs help with activities of daily living, many families look into private caregivers first, expecting working with a single individual will provide more consistent care and a simpler experience. They’re often surprised to find that hiring a private caregiver is more complicated than they thought.
Private caregivers are often passionate, skilled and dedicated. But working alone limits the quality and reliability of their care, and hiring them involves legal hurdles that few families are prepared for.
At FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte, we know firsthand that it takes a village to care for your loved one. With the support of a team, caregivers can give the support, stability and comfort they need to flourish. Here’s how to evaluate whether a private caregiver or a home care agency is best for your situation.
Team Support for Caregivers Leads to Better Care
No matter how dedicated and passionate they are, individual caregivers don’t have the resources to provide the highest level, most consistent care. They’ll eventually miss a visit because of illness, car trouble or some other disruption, leaving you looking for coverage.
In addition, if your loved one’s care needs change suddenly, they might not know what to do—and they won’t have anywhere to turn for guidance.
That’s why team support is critical in home care: Having backup ensures you won’t be left in a lurch due to changes outside of your control. An agency caregiver can call the office and speak to an expert, their Care Coordinators or Registered Nurses, when they don’t know what to do. If they can’t make a shift, the agency will find a substitute. Here are FirstLight Home Care of Greater Charlotte, we’ve historically filled 99% of our shifts, an industry-leading performance record.
With the support of a team, caregivers can give your loved one better, more reliable care.
What Does Caregiver Support Look Like?
At FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte, we’re proud to give our caregivers the support they need to care for your loved one. Unlike a staffing agency that places external contractors, our caregivers are full employees, backed by the best office staff in the business. Many members of our office employees are former caregivers themselves, and they know exactly how to help.
Here’s just a fraction of what our staff does every day to get your loved one the best possible care:
- Having RNs on call 24/7 to answer questions from caregivers and families, so you’ll always have an expert to count on for guidance.
- Reviewing caregiver notes daily by registered nurses to identify early warning signs of unmet needs.
- Finding a substitute in case a caregiver calls out.
- Training caregivers on new skills or finding additional support when your loved one’s needs change.
- Improving caregivers’ skills through training and educational programs.
Agencies Handle the Legal Aspects of Caregiving
We’ve seen it again and again: A local family hires a private caregiver, only to be overwhelmed by a flood of unexpected paperwork. That’s because when you hire an individual caregiver, you become their employer.
Few families are prepared to navigate the web of tax and labor laws that comes with a private caregiver. Even fewer know how to protect themselves in case something goes wrong. If a caregiver gets injured on the job, your family could be held liable.
With an agency caregiver, you don’t have to worry about the legalities. Home care agencies handle the paperwork and assume the risks of hiring so you can focus on getting your loved one the care they need.
Agencies Stay On Top of Regulations and Industry Developments
Regulations governing home care are constantly shifting and vary widely by location, making it hard for families to keep up. As agency owners, it’s part of our job to prepare for any developments that might impact your loved one’s care.
Agency-Supported Caregivers Offer Better Care
Home care isn’t a one-person job. While passionate, private caregivers just aren’t equipped to offer high-quality care you can rely on long-term. But with robust support, caregivers can become genuine friends and companions who bring warmth and compassion to your loved one’s life.
That’s why at FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte, we support our caregivers at every turn. With all the resources, information and guidance at hand, our caregivers can make every day your loved one’s best day.
Ready to get your loved one the care they deserve, backed by a team of experts? Contact us today!