Regardless of our income or spending habits, we’re always happy to score a deal and get things for less. This is no different when it comes to services, including home care. Turning to an unqualified senior caregiver or hiring someone inexperienced to provide residential home care for you or an aging parent may seem like a good deal, but doing so comes with great deal of risk.
The Risks of Hiring Unqualified Home Care Providers
Whether you hire an unqualified home care worker or a friend or family member who has no professional experience in home care jobs, many of the risks are the same. You need to consider the following before choosing an unqualified caregiver:
- Inadequate skills and training: There is specialized training required to become a certified Personal Support Worker (PSW) and most accredited home care agencies such as Living Assistance Services provide ongoing training to improve skills in elderly care. A person who has not undergone advanced home care training is unlikely to be able to meet the needs of the elderly. You also need to consider who will fill in for the caregiver if they’re unable to come in for some reason. Professional home health care agencies have other staff available for such circumstances and also often have a complimentary registered nurse on staff to handle medical issues.
- Theft and abuse: Home care agencies adhere to strict screening guidelines when hiring people to fill home care jobs; checking credentials, references, and even performing a criminal background check. They also insure their staff for dishonesty. If you choose to hire an unqualified senior care provider, you’re responsible for screening. Failing to do so puts you at a higher risk of theft of valuables, identity theft, abuse, and more.
- Liability and Worker’s Compensation Board Insurance (WSIB): Private home care providers aren’t insured, which makes you liable should they get injured while in your home. Even a minor injury can result in lost wages and medical expenses that you would be responsible for.
- Tax implications: When you hire an unqualified caregiver, you are legally their employer. This makes you responsible for deducting Canada Pension Plan contributions, Employment Insurance, vacation pay, health tax and income tax and then remitting it to the Canada Revenue Agency. Not filing properly or paying “under the table” to save money can result in fines and other penalties, and even criminal charges.
Reducing the Risk When Choosing Senior Care Services
When choosing senior care services, you want to ensure that you’ll have access to all of the home care services you or your loved one need and that they are being provided by a competent, trained, and insured caregiver. Home health care services can be chosen to suit your needs and budget so that you don’t need to take risks with unqualified or inexperienced caregivers.
David Porter, CPCA
Director - Living Assistance Services Ltd.
Article Resources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/payroll/payroll-deductions-contributions/special-situations/employing-a-caregiver-baby-sitter-domestic-worker.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/payroll/payroll-overview/employer-responsibilities-payroll-steps.html