Free checklist
Hiring a caregiver safely
Most caregivers are wonderful. A little checking up front, and a few money safeguards, protect your parent and the good caregiver too.
Agency or private hire
- An agency usually screens, trains, insures and pays its caregivers, and sends a fill-in when someone is sick. It costs more per hour.
- Hiring someone yourself usually costs less, but you become the employer: payroll taxes, workers' comp where your state requires it, and finding backup care.
- If you use an agency, check its state license and ask how it screens caregivers and what its insurance and bonding cover.
Check before you hire
- Call at least two references yourself, ideally families they cared for. Ask what they'd do differently.
- Run a background check through a company that follows the federal FCRA rules, with the caregiver's written permission. Agencies should show you theirs.
- If your state keeps a home care aide registry (California does), look them up by name.
- Interview with another family member there, and ask what they'd do if Mom fell, refused her pills or got confused at night.
- Do a paid trial shift while someone from the family is around.
Put it in writing
- A short written agreement: duties, hours, pay, how time off and sick days work, and how either side ends it.
- Spell out what's not part of the job: handling bank accounts, using credit cards, accepting gifts or loans, or helping with a will, power of attorney or property.
- Pay by check or payroll, never cash and never in advance. Keep a simple log of hours.
Protect the money from day one
- Turn on text or email alerts for every bank account and credit card: large withdrawals, new payees, cards used online.
- Freeze your parent's credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It's free, and it stops new accounts being opened in their name.
- Pick one family member to read the bank and card statements every month. Pairy can remind them.
- For errands, use a prepaid or low-limit card and keep receipts. Never share PINs, online banking passwords or checkbooks.
- Lock up checkbooks, jewelry, important papers and medications, especially pain medications.
Keep an eye on things
- Drop in at different times, and ask your parent how it's going when the caregiver isn't in the room.
- Warning signs: your parent seems isolated from family, a new “best friend” is involved in money, things go missing, or there are withdrawals or checks nobody can explain.
- If you're worried someone is being exploited, call Adult Protective Services in their county, or the police if it's urgent. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to the right local office.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Employer rules for household workers differ by state; an elder law attorney or accountant can tell you what applies.
Want help choosing?
An aging life care manager knows the local agencies and caregivers, and can set up the care plan and check in. Find one, or tell us what you need.