Caregivers and credentials
Caregiver registry
A caregiver registry is a service that lists caregivers and matches them with families. Registries often screen and refer caregivers but may not employ them. In many models, the family becomes the employer. Services and duties differ, so ask who hires, pays, supervises, and covers insurance.
Why it matters for your family
Registries can help families find caregivers quickly. The difference from an agency is who employs the worker. When a caregiver is not employed by the service, the family may have employer duties, such as taxes, insurance, and backup coverage. A common mistake is assuming a registry handles these tasks. Ask what screening it does, what support it offers if the caregiver is sick, and who handles problems. An elder law attorney or tax professional can explain employer duties. HomeCare.com states that it is not just a registry. Ask any provider to explain its model in writing.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Read more: 9 questions to ask when choosing a nursing home
Related terms
- Home care agencyA home care agency is a company that employs or contracts caregivers and sends them to clients' homes.
- Private duty caregiverA private duty caregiver is a non-medical caregiver paid directly by the family or through an agency to provide one-on-one help at home.
- Background checkA background check is a review of a person's records before hiring.
- Caregiver matchingCaregiver matching is the process of pairing a family with a caregiver whose skills, schedule, and personality fit the person's needs.
- Household employer and nanny taxA household employer is a person who pays someone to work in or around their home and controls how the work is done.
- W-2 employee versus 1099 contractorA W-2 employee works under the employer's direction and has taxes withheld by the employer.
