Within the last 20 years the term caregivers has become a frequently used terminology for a person caring for another person in a home setting. The term is typically identified by someone caring for their ailing family member, but there is another caregiver—one who cares for others as a career with no relations to their client.

A family member or a friend assuming the role of a caregiver is able to operate within the home settings under a different set of standards, when compared to the caregiver that provides a paid service. Caregivers that offer a paid service and do this as a profession are regulated by federal and California state employment laws, such as income taxes, state disability, worker’s compensation, labor regulations, etc. These are important distinctions and facts to understand when evaluating the hiring of a caregiver.

That brings us to the differences between hiring an independent contractor and working with an agency. When hiring an independent contractor, you become responsible for things like conducting background checks, work place injuries and making sure their earned income is ‘claimed.’ On the other hand, when you hire an agency, they manage that entire process for you. It is important to work with agencies that employ caregivers, that way you are ensured that the caregiver has liability coverage for workplace accidents and conforms to a specific set of safety standards set forth by OSHA and industry organizations like American Board of Home Caregivers (ABHC) and The California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

Formal licensing and certifications for the home care industry has yet to be implemented on a state or federal level, any reputable agency will adopt the regulatory standards of the Department of Health Services for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. The CNA program is a formal training program that is recognized and endorsed by California and allows participants to use their learned skills in a licensed, supervised program. Some tasks and duties that have been adopted by the non-licensed, non-skilled caregivers, from the CNA program, is primarily the Assistance with Daily Living (ADL) services. ADLs include assisting with ambulation, toileting, hygiene and skin care, and incontinence care. Additionally, caregivers will perform light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship and running errands.

Most paid in-home caregivers started out their career by caring for a family member, or friends. Years of experience through trials and errors have made most caregivers become the experience caregivers that they are today.

Over the past 10-15 years, the need for in-home caregivers has significantly increased due to the “coming of age” by the baby boomer generation as well as the extension of the average age of human beings. Home cares importance has gained as the elderly population prefers to remain at home during their retirement years. Additionally, there are a number of individuals with long-term disabilities that require day-to-day assistance continues to grow, making the caregiving industry one of the most stable and rising professions.  As the popularity of the industry continues to grow, it has seen both trained and untrained individuals become caregivers.

While growth is always positive, it is important that consumers understand the limitations and dangers of untrained, inexperienced caregivers—primarily in the area of medical vs. non-medical services. Medical tasks like administering medication, treating wounds, giving injections and performing catheter care to name a few. These services, when in a hospital, are conducted solely by licensed professionals. What is meant by licensed professional is someone that has done the customary courses, passed the standard tests put together by the state and continue to keep their license through “continued education units.” Individuals that are licensed by the state have been entrusted by the state to perform critical tasks and deemed safe to do so. Non-skilled, non-licensed workers have not gone through an extensive process like that, which is why they can handle ADLs and custodial care, exclusively.

Safety is always paramount when working with clients and that is what helps to determine what rules the industry follows. Caregivers willing to perform medical tasks and procedures are not credible and should be considered a safety hazard because they can put a client’s life at risk by performing such duties. Recognize your caregiver for the abilities and talents that they bring to the lives of you and your loved ones; foster and encourage their abilities, but do not expect them to do the things they are not trained to do.  

Caregivers can be a great asset to an individual needing companionship and some assistance with their daily living, but that is where their care skills stop. A caregiver is a very valuable part of our society; they are compassionate, kind and caring. As the field of caregiving widens, younger people are also finding the need to help others very valuable and rewarding.  

A bourgeoning career and industry, caregivers will be at the forefront of support for our ailing population, let’s make certain they are given the best chance of being successful by accepting their limitations and respecting their knowledge and skills.