Great job outlook in home health
money or using the benefits of a long-term care insurance policy? That’s where the NPDA—National Private Duty Association — comes in. NPDA ( has more than 1,200 members and sets industry standards and ethical care guidelines for its members.
There are several franchised home care companies, and one of the largest and most respected is Home Helpers, which has been ranked the No. 1 Senior Care Franchise for the past five years by Entrepreneur magazine. The company, founded in 1997, has more than 350 offices nationwide and employs a growing staff of welltrained and well-vetted home care workers. There are 16 franchisees in the Chicago area.
Mike and Mary Doepke have carefully built their company as a resource for seniors and their families. Mary is a registered nurse, with a lot of experience in supervisory nursing positions. Mike had a long career in corporate marketing and management. Together they manage more than 100 employees who care for the elderly or infirm.
Unlike some agencies that simply “place” independent contractors, all of the Home Helpers caregivers are employees of the company, which gives them a paycheck and benefits.
Mary supervises a thorough background check of caregivers before they are hired. That includes not only a comprehensive interview, previous employment verification and reference checks, but also an extensive criminal background and driving record check. There is also pre-employment drug testing required.
After all, Mary notes, these are people being placed in home care situations with vulnerable elderly people. Each caregiver is legal to work in the United States, speaks fluent English and has a car. Home Helpers employees range from 21-year-old nursing students working to pay their way through school to a 75-year-old retiree, who enjoys being a companion to the elderly. And there are many male caregivers.
So, if you’re between jobs and have a desire to work with others in a well-defined role, this might be a new career — one that will always be in demand. Mary and Mike and all the caregivers share one very important characteristic: a positive attitude toward life and their clients.
The cost of home health care varies, depending on the situation. A live-in helper might cost as much as $7,000 a month. But if care is needed for only a few hours a day, to help with bathing, preparing food, and some companionship, the bill would be much lower.
Licensing. Employees vs. Independent Contractors. You’re more likely to get a caregiver who is well supervised if he or she is an employee of a service. And you will have no responsibility for payroll or income taxes. Bonded. Is the person bonded in case of any concerns about theft of valuable property? (Adult children should remain in control of finances and remove items of value.) Personal Attention. The company should take a personal interest in making the original “match” with a caregiver, and an ongoing role in following up on the care provided.
In the end, if you’re seeking home care for a family member, you’ll want to have a feeling of trust throughout the entire process. Trust, and verification, and following your own instincts are the best guide to a successful home care experience. And that’s The Savage Truth.
Terry Savage is the Chicago Sun-Times’ nationally syndicated financial columnist and a registered investment adviser. Post personal finance questions on her blog at TerrySavage.com and blogs.suntimes. com/savage.