Private Caregiver vs. Home Care Agency: What Families Should Know Before Hiring Help
When a loved one needs in-home assistance, families often face one big question: Should we hire a private caregiver ourselves, or work with a licensed home care agency? At first glance, hiring privately might seem like the cheaper option — but what many families don’t realize is that saving a few dollars per hour can lead to costly and even devastating risks. Below, we break down the real differences, including key national statistics that show why oversight and professionalism matter.
💵 1. The True Cost of Care
Private caregivers typically charge between $25–$35 per hour, while licensed agencies such as Evergreen Nursing Health charge around $35–$40 per hour. That $5–$10 difference covers far more than hourly pay. Agency rates include payroll taxes, insurance, supervision, and reliable backup staffing — services that protect both the client and caregiver.
⚖️ 2. Legal and Financial Liability
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, financial exploitation includes ‘the illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property, or assets by a person in a position of trust or confidence — such as a caregiver.’ When families hire privately, they become the employer, assuming liability for taxes, on-the-job injuries, and theft. Licensed agencies like Evergreen handle all compliance, taxes, and insurance for full protection.
🔍 3. The Hidden Risk: Financial Exploitation
The data is staggering:
– Older Americans lose over $28 billion annually to financial exploitation. (AARP, 2023)
– About 72% of those losses are caused by trusted individuals — including friends, family, or caregivers.
– 1 in 9 cases of elder financial abuse involves a paid, non-family caregiver. (The Senior Source, 2023)
– Only 1 in 44 incidents are ever reported. (NAPSA)
When you hire through Evergreen Nursing Health, every caregiver is background-checked, trained, and supervised by a registered nurse, significantly reducing these risks.
🧠 4. Oversight, Training, and Accountability
Evergreen Nursing Health’s caregivers are fully vetted, background-checked, and supervised by registered nurses. They receive continuous training in dementia care, transfers, and fall prevention. Private caregivers, by contrast, often work without oversight or performance evaluations, leaving families to manage accountability alone.
🔄 5. Backup and Reliability
When a private caregiver calls out sick or leaves unexpectedly, families are left scrambling for help. Evergreen guarantees reliable backup coverage and 24/7 support, ensuring that your loved one never goes without care.
🏠 6. Peace of Mind vs. Uncertainty
While private caregivers may offer a lower hourly rate, agency-based care delivers long-term safety, stability, and peace of mind. For high-risk clients with heart conditions, mobility challenges, or complex needs, the oversight of a nurse-led agency is essential.
📊 At a Glance: Private Caregiver vs. Evergreen Nursing Health
| Category | Private Caregiver | Evergreen Nursing Health (Agency) |
| Background Checks | Optional or self-reported | State & federal background screening |
| Supervision | None | RN oversight and clinical management |
| Liability Coverage | Client is liable | Agency provides full coverage |
| Backup Staff | None | 24/7 backup coverage |
| Documentation | Rarely documented | Electronic time logs & care notes |
| Training | Varies widely | Standardized, RN-led training |
| Cost | $25–$35/hr | $35–$40/hr |
| Risk Level | High | Low |
🌿 The Evergreen Difference
Evergreen Nursing Health is nurse-owned, RN-led, and compassion-driven. We bring the safety and professionalism of healthcare into your home. Every care plan is tailored, documented, and supervised by a registered nurse, ensuring trust, transparency, and quality at every step.
✅ Final Takeaway
Hiring privately may save a few dollars per hour, but working with a licensed, nurse-led agency protects your loved one’s health, safety, and financial well-being. Evergreen Nursing Health delivers the peace of mind every family deserves — bringing the power of nursing into your home.
Diana Nelsen, RN BSN
Are you looking to secure either of these services? Schedule a free consultation with our expert nurses today!
