10 Mistakes Families Make When Hiring a Private Caregiver
(And How a Home Care Consultant Can Help You Avoid Them)
Hiring a private caregiver for a loved one can feel overwhelming. There’s so much at stake—your loved one’s safety, your household’s finances, and your family’s peace of mind. And when you’re walking this journey alone, it’s easy to make well-meaning mistakes that lead to stress, conflict, or even legal trouble.
Before you hire or manage a private caregiver, read this guide. We’ve outlined 10 of the most common mistakes families make—and how a home care consultant can step in to guide you with wisdom, clarity, and compassion
A Word of Encouragement
Caring for a loved one is a deeply spiritual responsibility. It is work that requires courage, sacrifice, and trust. If you feel overwhelmed or uncertain, take heart—you’re not alone, and help is available.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." – Proverbs 15:22
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." – Proverbs 16:3
1. Not Running a Thorough Background Check
Hiring based on a referral or gut feeling is risky. A lack of formal screening could expose your family to harm.
How we help: We run multi-state background checks, review abuse registries, and provide employment history and references—so you know exactly who’s coming into your home.
2. Paying “Under the Table” to Avoid Taxes
What seems like a “simple cash arrangement” can result in IRS trouble, denied claims, or employment lawsuits.
How we help: We walk you through payroll setup, help you register as a household employer, manage weekly payroll on your behalf, and provide user-friendly payroll and scheduling software to keep everything legal, automated, and on time.
3. Not Having a Written Employment Agreement
Without a formal agreement, misunderstandings are inevitable. This can lead to broken trust or even wrongful termination claims.
How we help: We draft customized contracts outlining job duties, pay, time off, house rules, and more.
4. Misclassifying the Caregiver as an Independent Contractor
Mislabeling a caregiver can lead to tax audits and fines. Most in-home caregivers are considered employees—not contractors.
How we help: We help you properly classify your caregiver and avoid violations of wage and labor laws.
5. Failing to Provide Onboarding & Training
Even great caregivers need guidance. Without clear expectations, quality of care often suffers.
How we help: We design a personalized onboarding plan, including care instructions, safety protocols, and training guides based on your loved one’s specific health needs.
6. Having No Backup Plan When the Caregiver Cancels
If your caregiver calls in sick or quits suddenly, most families have no plan—and that can leave your loved one vulnerable.
How we help: We create a contingency plan, help you identify emergency backup options, and connect you to local resources for temporary care.
7. Skipping Caregiver Oversight and Reviews
Caregivers need accountability. Without regular feedback, performance may slip or issues may go unreported.
How we help: We offer check-in schedules, performance review templates, and coaching on how to give constructive feedback.
8. Failing to Set Healthy Boundaries
When caregivers become “like family,” it’s easy for personal-professional boundaries to blur—leading to over-familiarity, tension, or entitlement.
How we help: We guide you in setting house rules, communication boundaries, and protocols for discipline—so your caregiver relationship remains respectful and professional.
9. Choosing the Wrong Person for the Job
Not every kind caregiver is the right caregiver—especially if your loved one has specific medical or emotional needs.
How we help: We assess your family’s unique situation and match you with an applicant who has the right skills, temperament, and reliability.
10. Trying to Do It All Alone
Managing care schedules, legal compliance, payroll, training, and hiring—it’s too much for one person. Burnout is real.
How we help: We serve as your ongoing advisor—providing expert support, access to scheduling and documentation software, answering your questions, and helping you navigate every phase of the caregiving journey with confidence.
Let’s Make Sure You Get This Right
As home care consultants with over 30 years combined experience serving families in the Kansas City area, we’ve walked this road many times. Our mission is to help families like yours avoid regret—and walk forward with clarity, peace, and the right plan in place.
📞 Book a free phone consultation
Ask your biggest question, and we’ll point you in the right direction—no pressure, just support.
📍 Serving Kansas City & Surrounding Areas (Missouri and Kansas) and 4 counties along 30A in Florida.