WHO IS INVITED:



Checklist for Hiring Non-Licensed Personal Caregivers

❑ Is the agency a member of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home?

❑ Have you developed a written agreement that includes anticipated schedule and payment arrangements?

❑ Have you determined whether you are responsible for taxes, workers compensation and other employment related taxes and benefits?

❑ Have you confirmed that the agency conducts a comprehensive background check?

❑ Have you confirmed that the agency provides continuous training to caregivers?

❑ Have you confirmed the agency caregivers and supervisors, including backup caregivers, are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

❑ Have you requested a list of agency references?

❑ Have you inquired about how the agency investigates complaints or resolves conflicts between agency staff and clients?

Caring for Yourself or a Loved One:

What You Should Know

Before Hiring a

Non-Licensed Personal Caregiver

Guidelines for Hiring

Personal Caregivers

The Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home has developed guidelines for hiring personal caregivers to help ensure that its member agencies adhere to certain standards and take reasonable and prudent steps to hire the highest quality workforce to provide care for patients. These guidelines provide guidance and protection to give patients and their families a way to evaluate qualifications and credentials.

There are several options for obtaining personal caregiver services. Visit the Association’s website at for further information about each option and the services that may be provided:

□ Licensed Home Health Agency

□ Licensed Homemaker/Home Health Aid

□ Registered Homemaker Companion Agency

□ Private Duty Registry

□ Private Hire

Contracts/Agreements, Taxes,

Background Checks & Education

Contract/Written Agreement: Be sure to have a contract or written agreement with the private care worker that specifies the anticipated schedule, planned duties, and payment arrangements.

Taxes: Be sure to determine if you are responsible for paying taxes. If you hire a person directly (not through an agency) then you are considered the employer. You or your family is responsible for paying all employment taxes (and possibly worker’s compensation). If you are using an agency, do not assume that all agencies pay employee related taxes. Be sure to inquire as to whether the agency that you are working with is paying the taxes.

Background Check: Be sure that the agency conducts a comprehensive background check, which at a minimum should include a criminal background check, and be sure to determine if the background check is nationwide or just statewide. Also, ask how far back the background check goes and if it includes physical and drug screening, personal and professional reference checks, verification of appropriate education or training, driving records, and a review of appropriate registries (such as the sex offender registry or Certified Nursing Assistant registry).

Education: Be sure that the agency caregivers are properly trained. Training could include agency orientation and ongoing in-service education to ensure clinical competence and compliance with agency policy.

Credentials, Back-Up Plan

& Oversight

Credentials: Be sure to ask whether the agency is licensed or registered. If a home health agency is licensed they must be licensed through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. If a homemaker/companion agency is registered they must be registered through the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Back Up Plan/On Call Services: Be sure that there is a back-up plan in place in the event that the personal caregiver is unavailable. If you are using an agency, the plan should be provided through the agency. If you are working with a private hire then be sure to have pre-established arrangements.

Oversight: Be sure that there is appropriate and frequent supervision of personal caregivers and that there is a plan for follow-up in place if there is a problem with the contracted caregiver. Also, determine if there is a formal complaint process in place either through the agency or by contacting the appropriate officials.

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For more information about hiring non-licensed personal caregivers, contact at our agency at

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