Home health care: Agencies vs. independent contractors

A rapidly increasing number of older Americans living at home has led to an increasing shortage of available home care aides. With high demand and a shortage of supply, this means an increase in cost to the consumer, i.e., the person in need of care and/or their family. As such, some families turn to private persons to provide home health care assistance instead of seeking out help from a licensed agency. While this may seem like a reasonable option, there are many problems that can arise, creating unexpected financial and legal liabilities for the family, now burdened with the responsibility of acting as an employer. Nearly all of these risks can be eliminated by choosing a state licensed home care agency.

Tax issues

When a family acts as an employer, they are required to pay taxes tied to Social Security, unemployment and payroll. They are also responsible for making sure the private individual they hire meets the criteria of an independent contractor and is paying their own taxes. If not, the responsibility falls on the backs of the employer. If this is the route your family is going, it’s best to seek assistance from a lawyer. Of course, hiring a home care agency would avoid many potential dilemmas.

Workers’ compensation and other liabilities

The individual or family paying for the independent home care aide is liable for any work-related injury occurring on the job, including all medical expenses and (if applicable) disability payments. Also if the home care aide causes an accident where other family members suffer harm or any loss, full financial responsibility and compensation falls on the shoulders of the employer. An easy way to avoid these problems from the start is to hire an agency, where all provided home care aides are licensed, fully insured, professionally trained and supervised on a regular basis.

Abuse and exploitation

Sadly, there are some individuals out there who will physically and mentally abuse the person they are caring for. Financial exploitation is also not at all uncommon, as a frail, aging individual with limited functionality can be an easy target. On top of this, supervising the home care aide can be particularly difficult due to time and geographic restraints. If you simply can’t use an agency, use extreme caution when hiring an independent caregiver, including running a criminal background check and making sure to follow up with references.

Agency supervision

A licensed agency is well equipped to handle nearly any home care aide situation and can adjust to the changing needs of individual clients. To boot, agencies have the responsibility to provide ongoing supervision for their employees — a service that can be as important for the aide as it is for the family.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

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“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

Making your home safe for elderly visitors during the holidays

While easy for most, traveling even small distances can be quite difficult for some elderly people. So if you’re expecting an aging loved one as a guest during the holidays, prepare your house to make it easy to maneuver through. Most preparations are simple to do and are common sense, but a little can go a long way in making someone you love feel welcome and comfortable.

Start with the outside of the house:

• Make sure all pathways are clear leading to the doorways.
• If icy, put down salt or sand.
• Make sure any steps leading into the house have sturdy railings. If not, make sure someone is always available to help your loved in and out of the house.

• Check for tripping hazards. Rugs and general ground clutter are usual culprits.
• Be aware of any uneven floor surfaces in the house and plan your loved one’s stay around them accordingly. If the uneven spots are unavoidable, make them more visible with brightly colored mat or even tape, in necessary.
• Have a sturdy seat for your elderly loved one to sit — plushy couches and chairs may be comfortable to most, but are difficult to get out of for the elderly.
• Make sure all railings are secure, especially if you’re loved one must use stairs to reach their bedroom, bathroom or other area in the house.
• Bathrooms can be particularly hazardous for the elderly, so make sure anti-slip mats are in place on the floor and in the tub. If needed, add a shower stool and grip bars to the tub.

Little things you might forget:

• Be aware of any special dietary needs your loved one has. If possible, have meal options planned out for them in advance.
• If they’re staying overnight, leave a glass of water and an empty pillbox for them to use next to their bed.
• Plan family activities that can easily include your elderly loved one.

Are there any other tips for preparing your house for any elderly guest that we missed? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa ” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

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“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

#healthtalk – December 18, 2012

Health Talk is a regular Twitter chat hosted by editors at Everyday Health. Physicians Choice Private Duty, providing elder care solutions for the greater Omaha area, joined in on the conversation, which focused on healthy holiday eating and intention setting for 2013. While the chat mostly covered general health and well-being, the questions and answers can be applied to both caregivers and their loved ones receiving care over the holidays.

If there’s one big takeaway, it’s always be mindful of sticking to healthy habits and don’t be afraid to start that new year’s resolution early!

Below is a recap of yesterdays #healthtalk, which we put together via Storify.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

Video: Real people, real stories

The many stages of senior care brings about a life changing journey that is challenging and full of tough decisions, as the needs of each individual are different. This video features actual Encompass clients talking about their experiences working with us, from the services we provide to the depth of knowledge we offer when answering important questions.

http://vimeo.com/43920304#

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/.”

Centenarians reveal secrets to long life

There are nearly 62,000 Americans who’ve reached 100, according to 2010 Census data. And while it’s no secret that living a healthy lifestyle — eat right, don’t smoke or drink, exercise, reduce stress, laugh often and have an active social life — leads to longevity, even the healthiest person isn’t 100% immune from chronic diseases. Still, it’s always inspiring to hear words of advice from those who live to be 100-plus years old.

A recent article from Huff/Post 50 talked to several centenarians about the secrets of their longevity. Below are some select quotes.

Laughter keeps you healthy. You can survive by seeing the humor in everything. Thumb your nose at sadness; turn the tables on tragedy. You can’t laugh and be angry, you can’t laugh and feel sad, you can’t laugh and feel envious. -Bel Kaufman, 101

Do the right thing, don’t smoke, don’t drink, eat right and don’t overdo it. If you need a little extra help, take some vitamins. Going to work is what keeps me going. -Anthony Mancinelli, 101

Stay active even at 100. Eat in a balanced way Don’t stay mad at anything — you have to get used to the losses, otherwise you can’t win. Lastly, stay close with your family, they keep you thinking. -Benjamin Goldfaden, 99

Have a good wife, two scotches a night, and be easy-going. -Samuel Ball, 102

I had a wonderful marriage for 61 years, was active and danced my whole life, but I believe my life is in Gods hands. -Anne Lomedico, 104

Whatever is hard, you make hard, but if you take it as it comes, it doesn’t come hard. Don’t worry, don’t want so much, and be satised with what you’ve got. Be willing to share with your friends and those less fortunate. -Loretta Hodge, 102

You must keep active or you will just wither away. Always be involved in some activity. -Miriam Henson, 105

Are there any other tips to long life? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa ” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Encompass services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”