|
Return to Library Main Page
Hiring a Home Care Employee?
More and more older people are
choosing to stay in their homes after they lose physical
skills as a result of an illness or accident. Relatives
and friends often help out so people who wish to do so
can remain in their homes. But often, more help is needed.
Home care is available to help the person stay at home,
rather than having the person move into an institution.
If you are going to need help in the home, there are
many things you will need to consider and precautions
that you should take to avoid elder abuse.
When interviewing possible home health aids, it is
important to do an extensive National and State background
check. This is especially important if you choose to
hire a private aide rather than from a home health care
agency.
rovide
Necessary Information
When hiring a home care assistant, it is helpful to spend
time him or her to show them the daily routine and what
goes on. It s crucial that you provide the following
information to the home health care employee about the
elderly person's:
- Likes and dislikes
- Diets
- Illnesses
- Possible behavior problems
- Therapeutic exercises
- Medications
- Emergency contact information
- Security precautions
- Where medical supplies are
kept
- Washing and cleaning supplies
and how they are used
- Light bulbs, flashlights and
the location of the fuse box
- The location and use of certain
household appliances
Transportation
It is
helpful to hire someone who drives, although it may not
always be possible. If the employee is going to drive
your family car, make sure to inform your insurance company
and provide a copy of their driver's license to your
insurance company.
Insurance and Payroll
Check with your insurance company about coverage for
a home care employee. Contact the appropriate state
and federal agencies concerning social security taxes,
state and federal withholding taxes, unemployment insurance,
and workman's compensation. If you do not want to deal
with these withholdings from the employee's salary
contact a payroll preparation service. They can issue
the employee's check with the necessary withholdings
for a fee.
Some home care aides work as contractors. Even
in these cases, you must report their earnings to the
Internal Revenue Service. Before employing an
aide on a contract basis, consult your financial advisor
or tax advisor to make certain that you are following
the IRS rules that govern contract workers, since there
can be a fine line between who is considered to be an
employee versus a contractor.
Once home aide is hired it is important to keep belongings & elder
safe from abuse:
- Protect your private papers and valuables
by putting them in a safe deposit box
- Have mail sent to a post office box where you can
pick it up or have a trustworthy source routinely pick
up the mail.
- Check the phone bill for unauthorized calls such
as long distance calls
- Never make checkbooks or credit cards available
to anyone.
- Frequently review bank, credit card statements,
and bills for unauthorized use.
- Once you have hired a home care worker, communicate
frequently and make sure that both you and the worker
have a clear understanding of the job responsibilities
to the older person and to each other.
For assistance in hiring a home care
employee contact:
Tracey Kinker-Gebert, CPA
FamilyFirst
Eldercare Services
954-315-7162
[email protected]
www.FamilyCPA.com
Legal Disclaimer. This information has been provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The receipt of this information does not establish an attorney client privilege. Proper legal advice can only be given upon consideration of all the relevant facts and the law. Therefore, you should not act upon any information contained herein without seeking appropriate legal counsel.
Return to Library Main Page
Home | Alzheimer & Dementia Resource Center | Medicaid & Division of Assets
Nursing Home & Assisted Living | Hospice Care | Veterans Benefits | About Us
Library | FAQ | Links | Blog | Site Map
Copyright © 2008 Richard M. Barron, Attorney at Law. All Rights Reserved.
Site Developed by Ecombuffet.com, LLC |