Although direct care workers found on websites or through word of mouth typically charge less per hour, they come with a number of unknowns. Unlike companies that vet, insure, mentor and educate their carers, independent contractors answer to no one. That means if you are hiring them you need to take care of:
- Managing every element of your parent’s day to day care and support.
- Attending to personnel issues such as absenteeism, poor performance, theft, elder abuse.
- Managing the roster and finding a backup carer if the contractor is sick, has car trouble, goes on holiday or simply doesn’t turn up.
We all have enough to be worried about.
There are so many things that can go wrong if this is not handled properly. Something as simple as a carer not being able to get to your loved one’s home on a given day can become a huge problem.
Imagine you’ve hired someone to help your mum who is in the early stages of dementia. Then early one morning you receive a text from the carer who is supposed to be there but can’t make it because their car has broken down. You have a business meeting you can’t miss. What do you do? You have to find someone else to stay with your mum for the day or you go to her and miss your meeting. This situation will repeat itself when the contractor is sick, on holidays, etc.
If you work with a company such as Acquaint, you won’t receive that text in the first place.
Here’s what will typically happen with Acquaint:
- The Acquaint personal carer will call us (this is our policy for unplanned leave) and we’ll find a replacement. Ideally it'll be one of her existing team. You’ll see this on our app in real time too. And if it’s your preference we’ll call you.
- Your mother will receive the same care she has become accustomed to as all the information needed is available to our personal carers on our app.
- We'll know when the personal carer arrives, what jobs they do and when they leave your mum’s home.
- The carer will also give the team an update.
- You then have the luxury of attending to your life and responsibilities while we take care of your parent’s immediate needs.
Let us know if you'd like to talk about how Acquaint'sat home aged care services could work for you.
Cost is only one part of the home care equation
Often people hire home carers directly because it’s cheaper. We know that private home care companies like Acquaint may cost more than hiring an independent carer.
We’re worth it though, because of the benefits we offer, our pre-employment vetting, paid induction, mandatory and ongoing education, insurance, day to day supervision and mentoring.
All the time and money we invest in making sure our reliable, experienced in-home carers are appropriately trained and supervised for the job at hand is for your peace of mind.
Our passionate team is here to help you live life your way. So if you’re in need of good company – whether it be for in home support for the elderly or companionship – call us on 03 9267 9090.