---
title: "What Is Private duty caregiver? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "A 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. Services can..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/private-duty-caregiver/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Caregivers and credentials

# Private duty caregiver

A 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. Services can include personal care, meals, company, and errands. The term is also used for nurses. Always ask who employs the caregiver and what the person may do.

## Why it matters for your family

Private duty means paid by private funds, not by Medicare. Families may hire a caregiver directly, which can feel simpler but raises duties. A family that employs a caregiver may owe payroll taxes, workers' compensation, and backup care when the person is sick. A common mistake is assuming an independent caregiver is covered by insurance. Ask about screening, training, and who handles emergencies. An agency or care service can handle some of these tasks. Ask a tax professional or elder law attorney about employer duties before hiring directly. Written terms covering hours, tasks, pay, and notice for time off prevent many later disputes.

Source: [nia.nih.gov](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home)

[Read more: How to Get Started with Hiring In-Home Care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/home-care-resources/hiring-in-home-care/)

## Related terms

-   [**Home care agency**A home care agency is a company that employs or contracts caregivers and sends them to clients' homes.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/home-care-agency/)
-   [**Household employer and nanny tax**A household employer is a person who pays someone to work in or around their home and controls how the work is done.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/household-employer-and-nanny-tax/)
-   [**W-2 employee versus 1099 contractor**A W-2 employee works under the employer's direction and has taxes withheld by the employer.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/w-2-employee-versus-1099-contractor/)
-   [**Workers' compensation for caregivers**Workers' compensation is insurance that pays medical costs and part of lost wages when an employee is hurt at work or gets a work-related illness.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/workers-compensation-for-caregivers/)
-   [**Caregiver registry**A caregiver registry is a service that lists caregivers and matches them with families.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/caregiver-registry/)
-   [**Private pay**Private pay means a family pays for care directly from its own money.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/private-pay/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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![A caregiver helping an older adult recover at home](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/post-surgery.CNhBB5ZY_rHxxQ.webp)