Attention Caregivers – Read This Before Working Direct
I know a CNA/caregiver with years of experience – let’s call her Jody. Jody is a wonderfully compassionate caregiver who has worked for us with several elderly patients. Because I would feel absolutely comfortable sending her to my own mothers house, her value to my company Home Care Extraordinaire is nearly immeasurable. Her ability to connect with patients is outstanding. Jody recently related a story to me that I thought I’d blog about. She refuses to work direct with patients and this is why:
Once upon a time, Jody got a full-time care giving job working with an sweet elderly lady in Orange County – let’s call her Rose. Jody worked for several years “under the table” and each week Rose would pay Jody in cash. Unfortunately Rose had Alzheimer’s and Jody could tell Rose was slowly declining. One day Rose’s son, Richard, took control of Rose’s affairs and became his mom’s conservator. Richard continued to pay Jody in cash under the table – all seemed well. But get ready – here is where the story takes a bad turn for Jody.
At the end of the year Richard visited his tax attorney. The attorney, let’s call him Damien, advised Richard that the money he had been paying Jody could have tax advantages, if only he claimed the expense with the IRS. Now what do you think Richard did? He told the IRS about Jody’s income. What do you think the IRS did? The IRS sent Jody an income tax bill for $6000.
Working as a care giver for seniors, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, people with disabilities, the sick, and injured can we a wonderfully rewarding career but it also has risks. My advice, make sure you work for a illegitimate employee based agency. Yes, you’ll have to pass background checks and pay taxes, but chances are the pay will be higher and you’ll have back-up in case you need it. Heck, some agencies even offer medical benefits to long time employees. So next time you’re looking for work, make sure the agency is a member of the American Board of Home Care – that way you’ll know that the Richard’s and Damien’s of the world can’t make you a Jody.
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Home Care Extraordinaire is a family owned an operated home health care agency that faithfully serves Orange County and Los Angeles County. We are member of the American Board of Home Care and the Better Business Bureau. We provide the best Caregivers, home health aides, and companions in the industry to Seniors, the elderly, injured veterans, people with disabilities, or anyone that needs help. We insure that our patients have the highest quality of life while living in their own home. HCE is licensed, bonded and insured. Visit – http://homecareextraordinaireLA.com for more information or call 310-995-5332
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