The caregiver agency business is one of the fastest growing healthcare industries in the United States. This is mainly due to the aging baby boomer population who are in need of in-home care services. Caregiver agencies provide a wide range of custodial and health services including bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, shopping for personal items, medication assistance, transportation to doctors’ appointments, hair appointments, theaters or social engagements and cognitive stimulation activities like playing cards or board games.

The advantage of using a caregiver agency is that the agency has already done a lot of the work in terms of hiring, screening and background checks for their workers. The family and/or the senior can then focus their attention on a shortlist of caregivers to interview and choose from.

Some agencies also take the time to check a prospective caregiver’s credit history and driving record. This can be an important safety measure, especially for elderly clients who may have a hard time getting around. Agencies are also able to provide workers’ compensation insurance, which protects the client and the caregiver in case of accident or injury at work. This is not the case with independent caregivers who must carry their own insurance.

Another important consideration is the amount of time it takes to find a caregiver on your own versus working with an agency. This can be a major issue for families that have to care for an ailing loved one while trying to balance work and family obligations. caregiver agencies