Q. How do we go about choosing the right caregiver?
A. Standard procedure is as follows: The agency sets a date and time when you can make it, preferably at the location where caregiver assistance will take place, for 2 or 3 separate interviews. Prior to interviews, all caregivers go through our stringent background checks and we make sure they are willing to work the hours set forth by the client. Final decision comes down to who you feel most comfortable with.

Q. If my caregiver is a live-in, where are they supposed to sleep?
A. In order to maintain a happy relationship between your loved one and the caregiver, all parties concerned must be comfortable in their surroundings. Like yourself, a clean home and a comfortable bed or at the bare minimum, a comfortable pull out sofa is required. If your caregiver is to remain sharp and alert at all times, a good rest is required.

Q. What if my caregiver gets sick?
A. If a caregiver or a live-in companion gets sick and can't make it for the times scheduled, our agency will do everything in its power to find a replacement for that period, until the caregiver is back to normal. If our agency is unable to fill in with another companion for any reason, on such short notice, family members must pitch in until we can get another caregiver.

Q. What is protocol in case of emergency?
A. Based on our past experience, the best thing to do is download and fill out the form on our website listing all medications and telephone numbers in priority order, as to who gets called first and so on in case of an emergency. This form should be placed in a conspicuous spot like the refrigerator door.

Q. What about Holidays?
A. If the caregivers work day falls on a holiday, and the caregiver is needed on that day, additional money is required in the form of time and a half for that particular day. Holidays that require additional compensation are New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday), Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Martin Luther King Day.

Q. Who do I pay?
A. You will be invoiced each week. Payment is to be sent directly to the office listed on the agreement. Caregiver is not responsible for handling money. All correspondence or problems need to be brought to the attention of Pearlcare Medical Staffing, LLC. There is also a retainer fee in place to protect the caregiver and to make sure they get paid. All retainers are placed in a separate escrow account. You will be billed weekly for services rendered. The retainer is only for protection to make 100% sure caregiver gets paid. Once employment ends, all retainers are returned less any salaries due the caregiver.

Q. What if a family decides they want to take their loved ones out for a special occasion, or a day trip?
A. Keep in mind most of our caregivers have families and have expenses just like you and me. Careful attention has been made to cover the days you have requested. Your responsibility to the caregiver is to provide the hours and days of work agreed upon and pay them for those days, as they rely on their set salaries as well at the end of the week. Be mindful when planning holidays or personal days. If the case is not a live-in, days could be switched but still end up totaling normal agreed hours per week.

Q. Do the caregivers clean windows, home repairs, cut the grass etc?
A. You're hiring a caregiver to make sure your loved one is in good hands at all times. Cooking, basic light cleaning, companionship and anything that was outlined in our brochure are normal responsibilities. Anything more than that in reason, I'm sure, wouldn't be denied, but keep in mind, if the caregiver is doing some other menial chores, they're not doing what they were hired for, and that is, keeping your loved one safe and out of harm's way.

Q. Why should I go through an agency and pay them, when I can try to accomplish the task on my own and try to save money?
A. Families are often concerned about the costs involved in hiring a caregiver through an in-home care agency, and look to other resources such as finding private caregivers to provide care for their loved one. Understandably, cost is a factor in decision-making. However, what most families do not realize are the hidden costs and responsibilities they now bear as a result of hiring a private caregiver. It is important in the decision-making process to understand the following when considering the hiring of a private caregiver versus hiring one through an in-home care agency.

1. You are the caregiver's employer. The IRS will expect you to withhold and pay Federal employment taxes.
2. The Government will require you to do the following. If not done, it will be considered "Illegal hiring."
   
   a. Obtain a federal Employer Identification number from the IRS.
   b. Pay State Unemployment Tax Contributions and provide Workers Compensation insurance coverage.
   c. A schedule H (Household Employer Taxes) must be attached to your Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040).
   d. Provide W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to the caregiver at the end of the year.
   e. Form W-3 (Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements) must be filed with the government.
   f. Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to establish that the caregiver is legally allowed to work.
   
3. You will be responsible to schedule a reliever. The caregiver will need to schedule days off and be provided with relief days off for last minute emergencies.
4. Should you decide to lay off you caregiver, he or she can go to the state unemployment office and file a claim for unemployment benefits.
5. Should you hire a caregiver who has unknown identity, character, and/or immigration status, you will have little recourse should there be theft, abuse, or other issues requiring legal action. You are responsible for all of the background checks.
6. An untrained, inexperienced caregiver increases the risk factor of something counterproductive happening to your parent.
7. Should your caregiver be injured on the job, they may place a claim with Worker's Compensation. If you have not paid for coverage, you would be liable

Taking all things into consideration, it is a wise decision to consider the services of a professional in home-care agency.