Home Care Registry As A Solution2023-09-22T18:46:53+00:00

Discover the Ideal Care Solution: Home Care Agency vs. Home Care Registry

Home health Agency (HHA) vs nurse Registry (NR) – What’s the Difference?

Unveiling the Advantages of Home Care Registries: Understanding the Difference

When it comes to providing quality care for our loved ones, the options can be overwhelming. One important decision is choosing between a home care agency and a home care registry. While both options offer caregiving solutions, the benefits of a home care registry are often underestimated. In this article, we’ll delve into the differences and showcase why a home care registry might be the superior choice for your family.

A Brief Overview: Home Care Agencies vs. Home Care Registries

Home Care Agencies and Home Care Registries both aim to provide in-home care services, but they operate differently. Agencies employ caregivers directly, handling all aspects of care, including training, scheduling, and payroll. They also take responsibility for taxes, insurance, and compliance with regulations. This offers a one-stop solution but often at a higher cost. In contrast, Home Care Registries act as matchmakers, connecting families with independent caregivers. A Florida Nurse Registry screens individual caregivers based on the strict standards set by the state of Florida, and then refers them to clients seeking their services. Registries in Florida are state-licensed and are regulated by The Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA )which oversees and regulates Home Health Agencies as well. The guidelines enforced by AHCA are very similar for both Florida Nurse Registries and Nurse Agencies. While the Nurse Registry option may be more budget-friendly, it places the onus on the family to manage the caregiver, and the caregivers handle their own taxes as they are treated as Independent Contractors and receive a Form1099 at the end of the year. Both models have their own pros and cons, depending on individual needs.

Now, let’s dive into why a home care registry can be the game-changer you’re seeking:

1. Customization at Its Best:

One of the most compelling advantages of a home care registry is the unparalleled customization it offers. When you opt for a registry, you have the power to handpick caregivers who align perfectly with your loved one’s preferences and needs. This personalized approach ensures a harmonious and comfortable caregiving relationship, fostering an environment of trust and support.

2. Direct Involvement and Empowerment:

In a home care registry, you become an active participant in the selection process. This direct involvement empowers you to make informed decisions about the caregiver who will be tending to your loved one. By being a part of this decision-making, you create a strong foundation for a caregiver-patient relationship built on mutual understanding and respect.

3. Cost-Efficiency Without Compromise:

It’s no secret that quality care can come with a hefty price tag. However, home care registries offer an economical alternative without compromising on the standard of care. Registries are often more budget-friendly due to the fact that they do not bear the full burden of managing caregivers, making top-tier caregiving accessible to a wider range of families.

4. Rapid Responses to Urgent Needs:

Emergencies and unforeseen circumstances can strike at any time. Home care registries excel in addressing these urgent needs swiftly. Whether it’s a last-minute requirement for care or a sudden change in schedule, registries are equipped to connect you with available caregivers promptly, ensuring your loved one’s safety and wellbeing.

5. Personalization Beyond Expectations:

Home care registries are all about tailoring care to suit your loved one’s unique preferences and routines. With a registry, caregivers collaborate closely with you to design a care plan that complements their lifestyle. This personalized touch extends beyond the services offered, creating an environment where your loved one feels truly understood and valued.

6. The Freedom of Choice:

When you choose a home care registry, you’re not limited to a pre-selected group of caregivers. Instead, you’re presented with a diverse range of options, each with their own set of skills and qualities. This freedom of choice ensures that you can find a caregiver who resonates with your family’s values and meets your specific requirements.

7. Unparalleled Affordability:

Caregiving expenses can accumulate quickly, especially when working with a home care agency. However, home care registries shine in offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on the quality of care. By streamlining administrative tasks and focusing on referrals, registries pass on the savings to families, making caregiving more affordable and accessible.

8. A Reliable Safety Net:

While some might worry about the level of oversight in a home care registry, reputable registries ensure that caregivers are qualified, trained, and vetted through rigorous background checks. This adds an extra layer of assurance, safeguarding your loved one’s wellbeing while benefitting from the personalized care experience.

9. Empowering the Caregiver-Patient Relationship:

In a home care registry, the caregiver-patient relationship takes center stage. This dynamic connection allows caregivers to truly understand their patients’ needs, resulting in a more effective and compassionate caregiving experience. The partnership fostered through registries often leads to better overall outcomes and improved quality of life for the patient.

10. A Wholesome Support System:

Home care registries don’t just stop at providing caregivers. They offer a holistic support system that revolves around the patient’s wellbeing. This includes personalized care plans, ongoing communication, and the flexibility to adapt to changing needs, ensuring that your loved one receives comprehensive and attentive care.

Conclusion: A Superior Choice for Personalized Care

In the dynamic world of caregiving, a home care registry shines as a beacon of personalized and affordable care. The advantages it presents, from customization and direct involvement to cost-efficiency and a tailored support system, make it a superior choice for families seeking a holistic and compassionate caregiving experience. By embracing a home care registry, you’re not just choosing care; you’re choosing empowerment, personalization, and a future where your loved one’s wellbeing takes center stage.

At CaringHomeCare.com, we’re dedicated to helping families discover the benefits of a home care registry. Contact us today to embark on a caregiving journey that’s as unique as your loved one.

The Biggest Differences

A Florida Nurse Registry is a state-licensed caregiver service that matches clients with safe, trained, qualified caregivers to assist with in-home care.

Florida is one of the most advanced and progressive states when it comes to Nurse Registries. Florida has specific statutes & guidelines that govern the operation of a nurse registry that are in place to protect consumers seeking care.

Nurse Registries offer consumers an affordable option to find safe and competent trained caregivers.

Role of Employer:

All nurse registries are required to perform an abuse registry check, an employment history check (reference checks), and obtain a criminal background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Administrators must submit to all these screenings, plus they are required to have an additional criminal screening through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The patient and family are more involved in planning the care that is to be delivered and more freedom of choice in selecting the caregiver.

Bonded, Licensed, & Insured Caregivers

Nurse registries are required by administrative rule to carry liability insurance. The independent contractor would be liable for any injury that occurs in the home. Caring Home Care Independent contractors carry their own malpractice insurance policies.

In Florida, The Agency for Healthcare Administration AHCA oversees and regulates many health-related businesses including Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Nursing Agencies, and Nurse Registries.

The guidelines enforced by AHCA are very similar for both Florida Nurse Registries and Nurse Agencies and are in place to protect the potentially vulnerable population these businesses serve.

Some of the guidelines enforced by AHCA include minimum levels of caregiver training, required background screening, and required emergency plans. These guidelines help to ensure that the seniors in our state receive the safest, most effective in-home private caregivers available.

Independent Contractors vs. Hired Caregivers

A Florida Nurse Registry screens individual caregivers based on the strict standards set by the state of Florida, and then refers them to clients seeking their services. These professional, private caregivers are registered as Independent Contractors, as statutorily required.

The statute reads: “The nurse registry shall advise the patient, the patient’s family, or any other person acting on behalf of the patient, at the time of the contract for services, that the caregiver referred by the nurse registry is an independent contractor.”

A Nurse Registry has a Registered Nurse available to make visits to the patient’s home for an additional cost.

When comparing a Nurse Registry VS a Home Health Agency in realty, they share more similarities than they do differences.

Expense:

Nurse Registries offer consumers an affordable option to find safe and effective trained caregivers.

A 1999 study conducted by the Florida House Of Representatives determined that working with a Florida Nurse Registry consumers save 20-30% over working with traditional Home Health Agencies.

Working With a Home Care Registry

Caring Home Care is a reputable Nurse Registry serving Florida families since 2003.

Caring Home Care Administrators, or Care Specialists can visit the home of the senior to determine patient and family needs, as well as skills and tasks of caregiver requested. Caring Home Care refers qualified prescreened caregivers to help loved ones with meal preparation, light housekeeping, personal assistance in grooming, bathing and toileting as well as companionship. Progressive services include Alzheimer’s and dementia care, non-medical healthcare, medication reminders, live-in care and 24-hour care.

When working with Caring Home Care your loved one can have affordable in-home caregiver services where they can manage their own care in a cost effective manner.

Here Are The Most Frequently Asked Questions.

How much does all this cost?2024-12-27T17:33:23+00:00

Rates depend on service location, the complexity of care, and caregiver-requested pay rate. We strive to provide the most cost-effective program possible. Please call any of our four office locations for current rates.

Do you accept Insurance Policies?2023-09-22T18:00:04+00:00

We will work together with any insurance company to complete the documentation they require and provide them with the paperwork necessary to process your claim. Every Long Term Care Insurance Policy is different and may have specific requirements that must be met before they will pay for care. To help you receive the insurance benefits you are entitled to, we will bill your insurance company on your behalf and assist you with completing all necessary paperwork, but ultimately the responsibility for payment is with you the consumer.

Due to popular demand, we accept assignment of benefits from Long Term Care Insurance Providers. What this means is that we will work together with you to accept payment directly from your insurance company to minimize the expenses incurred by you the consumer. This option does have further details that can be reviewed with you when working with our Billing Manager.

What if I am not satisfied with my caregivers service?2024-12-31T13:34:15+00:00

We strive to refer only the best caregivers available but sometimes personality issues arise. Your satisfaction is our #1 priority. Should any issues arise simply contact our offices and we will immediately work to refer a caregiver more suitable to your needs.

Am I locked into a contract?2023-08-29T17:09:42+00:00

No, you are not locked into a contract. We have a service agreement outlining payment terms and details of services, but you may cancel anytime with just four hours’ notice.

Do caregivers with a Nurse Registry avoid paying employment taxes, potentially becoming the responsibility of the consumer?2024-12-27T17:36:46+00:00

Registries must notify caregivers of their tax responsibilities and issue 1099 forms annually to report earnings to the IRS. According to industry leaders and IRS data, independent contractors receiving 1099 forms have a 97% income reporting compliance rate, while employees receiving W-2 forms have a 99% compliance rate.*

*Source: IRS National Headquarters Office of Research, Interactive Tax Gap Map (2001); Government Accountability Office testimony.

Will my caregiver carry Workers’ Comp?2024-12-31T15:22:43+00:00

No, the caregivers CHC works together with are not required to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance. However, Workers’ Comp does not provide the consumer protection many are falsely led to believe.

Caregivers referred by Caring Home Care are not mandated to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Beware of individuals who give false assurances that Workers’ Comp will protect the client from litigation. For honest answers about workers comp, we suggest visiting the website that the Florida Department of Financial Services maintains. Here you can have your Workers’ Comp questions answered in an unbiased manner. Specifically, “Does Workers Comp protect the consumer or employer?”

The most appropriate protection for a client is their homeowner’s insurance policy. Well-written policies should include protection for injuries occurring in the home. There are umbrella policies available that can provide even further protection.

Remember, if no negligence on the part of the client is determined, the client has no legal financial obligation for an injury a caregiver may receive on the job.

Occupational Accidental Insurance is available for caregivers or their clients to purchase should they desire additional Workers Comp type coverage.

Will my caregiver be insured?2024-12-31T15:21:24+00:00

As part of our extensive screening process, all caregivers we refer carry their own individual Professional Liability Policy (Malpractice Insurance). The minimum amount of coverage we recommend is $250,000 per incident and $250,000 aggregate. Caregivers can provide a copy of their liability insurance upon request.

Will my caregiver be supervised?2023-08-29T17:08:23+00:00

In-home care for the elderly is supervised by family, friends, guardians, etc. If a client has any issues, we will take them very seriously and address them promptly as you see fit.
You can request a Registered Nurse at an additional cost.

What is a Nurse Registry?2024-12-27T17:31:42+00:00

A Florida Nurse Registry is a state-licensed referral service that maintains a list (registry) of carefully screened caregivers and matches those caregivers with a client’s needs.

What is an HHA/CNA?2024-12-27T17:30:49+00:00

HHA is an abbreviation for Home Health Aide. Home Health Aides have received training from a Florida-accredited institute. HHA programs educate caregivers that qualify them to provide in-home care for individuals.
CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant. CNAs receive more training hours that qualify them for working in various settings, including home care. CNAs must pass a rigorous state exam. Certificates are issued by the state of Florida.

Privately, HHAs and CNAs function interchangeably. Both HHAs & CNAs are referred to as caregivers.
All caregivers referred for work with Caring Home Care are independent contractors.

What is a companion?2024-12-27T17:27:51+00:00

Companions are sometimes referred to as “Sitters”. They can assist individuals in their homes with basic tasks . Some clients don’t need help with bathing or dressing. Perhaps tasks such as meal preparation, running errands, and light housekeeping are what you need. Companions can also serve to combat loneliness by engaging in conversation, playing board games or cards,  or going for a walk. If the need for help increases to hands-on care such as bathing, dressing,  or helping with toileting, Caring Home Care can help coordinate your request for home health aide services.

How far in advance do I need to request services?2023-08-29T17:07:17+00:00

Our experience in this industry & an extensive pool of caregivers allows us to find the help you need with little notice. We have been successful in referring caregivers with as little as a 1-hour notice.

Is there a minimum number of hours?2024-12-27T17:25:27+00:00

Caring Home Care has a 4 hour minimum for in home services per visit. We are happy to discuss your specific needs and how we can work to refer a caregiver to meet needs requiring less than the 4 hour minimum.

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With our competitive rates, we make receiving in-home care affordable regardless of whether you’re using your insurance or paying out of pocket.

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