Learn More About Different Types Of Elderly Home Care in Federal Way, WA
There are different elderly home care solutions that will best fit the needs of your loved one and family
Many seniors looking to maintain or improve independence as they age opt for elderly home care services. To make the most of these services, it is of vital importance to choose the best provider in Federal Way, WA and plan for your senior loved one. There are many factors to take into consideration while exploring the various options at your disposal, so we created this short, but detailed guide, to help you learn more about the way they caregiving industry works and make the right decision for your aging parent or relative.
Nowadays, elderly home care providers offer a wide range of care plans that can include a seemingly unlimited number of services. The most common ones are:
- Personal care, consisting of assistance with grooming, bathing, and dressing, toileting and incontinence care, transferring and positioning, mobility assistance, and more.
- Companion care, featuring housekeeping, running errands, meal preparation, incidental transportation, and more.
- Specialized care, including dementia care, end of life care, transitioning care, and more.
Senior Care Business Structures
In the United States, elderly home care can be provided by agencies operating on an employment basis, registries or matchmakers, and independent caregivers.
Employment-Based Agencies
Coming in the form of corporations, subsidiaries or franchises, employment-based agencies are responsible for every aspect of service, often constituting the best choice for seniors and their families. Their benefits include:
- Conducting thorough background and reference checks before hiring a caregiver
- Featuring employees instead of contractors, which means elderly home care providers are bonded, insured, and covered by worker’s compensation
- Training caregivers and making sure they have all the necessary certificates to provide care
- Providing adequate replacements in the absence of the primary caregiver
- Educating its staff through mandatory classes on the latest trends in the industry
Registries
Registries serve as matchmaking agencies, connecting caregivers with people in need of care. They do not employ, train or oversee caregivers, so you may have to cover the costs of employment taxes/deductions and insurance policies in Federal Way, WA. Before opting for a registry, you should get answers to the following questions
- Who is responsible for employment taxes and fringe costs for the caregiver’s work?
- Who performs background checks and oversees the caregiver?
- Does the caregiver have adequate training and all the necessary certifications?
Independent Caregivers
An independent caregiver can be basically anyone who provides elderly home care services but doesn’t belong to any agency or registry. It can be a family member or close friend. It can also be someone you found in the advertising section of Federal Way, WA papers. If you hire an independent caregiver, keep in mind that you will be their employer, meaning you will be responsible for taxes, insurance, and other fringe costs. You will also have to perform background and reference checks.
