There are some important differences to consider when hiring a caregiver. As an agency, JanCare takes on the full responsibility of conducting background checks, then employing, training, bonding, and insuring each caregiver that we place in a home. Also, our caregivers are under the full-time supervision of a Registered Nurse. As an added benefit, we perform unannounced quality assurance visits to a client’s home.

Registries do not employ caregivers; instead, they typically recruit, screen, and then refer caregivers to clients. They also do not take responsibility for any training or supervision of a caregiver. In many cases, the client becomes the employer and assumes many of the responsibilities that an agency would typically handle.

Independent Caregivers, otherwise referred to as “the gray market,” may be lower in cost. Still, the client is responsible for conducting background checks, paying taxes, obtaining insurance, and verifying the experience and skills of the caregiver. This option exposes the client to the risks of a caregiver with an unknown background.