The Pros and Cons of Hiring an Agency vs a Private Caregiver

The vast majority of Americans aged 50 to 80 say that they would prefer to age in place for as long as possible, remaining in the comfort of their own homes rather than living in an assisted living facility. Familiar surroundings can help seniors maintain an independent lifestyle for longer.

However, as your loved one ages, they may require more assistance with daily tasks and medical care in order to maintain that independence. Finding the right care solution can feel overwhelming and often requires thorough research to ensure you’re making the best decision for your family.

One of the first — and most important — decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a private in-home caregiver or work with a home care agency. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and each option has its benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the differences between these options can help you make the best decision for your family’s needs.

The Pros of Hiring a Private Caregiver

1. You’ll be Able to Choose a Caregiver

   Caregiving is highly personal. A caregiver works one-on-one with your family and will be responsible for supporting your loved one’s medical care and other needs.

   
   

   Hiring privately allows you to personally select a caregiver who’s a good match for your loved one’s personality, lifestyle and care needs. Choosing the right caregiver can help build a strong, trusting bond between your loved one and their caregiver.

   
   

2. You’ll Have Direct Communication With Your Caregiver

   When you hire a caregiver yourself, you’re the manager. You’ll be able to communicate directly with your caregiver about specific requests or changes to your loved one’s care without having to go through the agency. As well, independent caregivers may offer you more flexibility in terms of scheduling and care routines. 

   
   

3. Private Caregivers can be More Cost-Effective

   While cost shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing care, it’s a major concern for many families, especially if you have a tight budget or are looking for a long-term solution. Independent caregivers don’t have the overhead administrative costs of agencies, allowing them to charge lower rates. Many people choose to hire private in-home caregivers for this reason.

The Cons of Hiring a Private Caregiver

1. You’ll Have More Responsibility

   When you hire a private caregiver yourself, you’re stepping into the role of an employer. You’ll need to manage all the administrative duties for your caregiver, including:

   
   

   • Hiring

   • Conducting background checks

   • Handling payroll and taxes

   • Understanding and complying with local labor laws

   
   

   Many families are looking for a caregiver to help take off some of the physical or emotional pressures they face. Adding on new administrative tasks can be time-consuming and complicated, adding new stress to your life.

   
   

2. You Might Need to Find Backup

   Even if you find a caregiver you love, there’s no guarantee they’ll always be available. If a private caregiver can’t work due to illness, travel or other personal reasons, it can leave you scrambling to find a substitute. If your caregiver quits, you’ll be the one responsible for finding and hiring another person.

   
   

3. You’ll Need to Vet Caregivers Yourself

   When you’re hiring a caregiver yourself, it will be up to you to contact references, conduct background checks and assess a potential candidate’s credentials and qualifications. This process can be time-consuming and stressful. But not doing your research puts you at risk of hiring someone who’s not suitable for your family.

The Pros of Hiring Caregivers Through an Agency

1. Care is Reliable and Consistent

   One of the biggest advantages to hiring through an agency is their reliability and ability to give your loved one consistent care. No-shows can be frustrating, especially if you’re counting on a caregiver to be there for essential daily tasks.

   
   

   If your usual caregiver takes leave, calls out sick or quits, the agency will be able to provide a substitute caregiver, ensuring that you receive the care you need, when you need it. Knowing that there’s always a backup ready to take care of your loved one is a huge relief for many families.

   
   

2. You’ll be Able to Find Specialized Caregivers

   If your loved one has dementia, Alzheimer’s or requires other specialized care, you want to ensure your caregiver has the experience and knowledge to help support their daily needs. Agencies can place you with an experienced caregiver who has received specialized training and knows how to help navigate your loved one’s daily routine.

   
   

3. Agencies Vet All Caregivers They Employ

   A reputable agency will have a rigorous hiring process in place. They will conduct background checks, verify certifications and provide training to all hired caregivers. This guarantees that any caregiver sent to your loved one’s home is vetted, trained, certified and qualified to help your loved one with their daily tasks.

The Cons of Hiring Caregivers Through an Agency

1. Some Agencies Lack Flexibility

   Certain agencies require you to have a minimum number of hours or visits per week, or they impose rigid schedules. This may not be a problem if you’re looking for prolonged support. But if you’re only looking for a quick daily visit to help your loved one complete essential tasks, some agencies may require you to pay for more hours than you really need.

   
   

2. Agencies Typically Charge More

   Agencies typically charge more for care, as they need to cover all employee salaries, benefits, training, insurance and other administrative fees. Some agencies also charge extra fees for certain types of specialized care. Always review an agency’s pricing structures before booking services.

   
   

3. Some Agencies Experience High Turnover

   Caregiving is a rewarding career, but there’s no doubt that it can be challenging emotionally and physically. Without proper support from an agency, caregivers may experience burnout and dissatisfaction with their job. Unfortunately, turnover can disrupt the quality and continuity of your loved one’s care.

   
   

   Vet any potential agency to understand what types of support they give to their staff. Do they offer work-life balance? Do supervisors have ways to support caregivers with the emotional demands of the job?

   
   
   
   

Why We’re Different Than Most Agencies

At Tandem Care, we’re redefining what home care means for you and your family. Every client’s needs are different, and our caregivers meet them with personalized, compassionate care.

Tandem Care is different than most agencies because:

• Our care is affordable. We believe that you should never have to pick between quality care and affordability. When you work with Tandem Care, you’ll pay flat weekly rates that help you save over 50% compared to other home care options.

• Our services are flexible. We believe that you should be able to pay only for the care you need. We don’t impose any hourly or weekly minimum requirements, and you can tailor our services to your needs.

• We promote independence. Many traditional care models unintentionally foster dependency, causing seniors to participate less in their own lives. Tandem Care focuses on task-oriented services that celebrate independent aging-in-place lifestyles.

If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable home care solution tailored to your family’s needs, Tandem Care is here for you. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our caregivers can support your loved one’s independent lifestyle and allow them to receive the flexible care they need.