Why Home Helpers - Home Helpers by Mary and Mike

Why Home Helpers

You have several options when looking for a private duty home care provider:

Full Service Agencies
Home Helpers is a full service agency. We screen, train, employ and supervise our caregiving staff. We withhold taxes and contribute to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. We bond and insure all of our employees. Illinois law requires that home care agencies perform employee criminal background checks and we search felony and misdemeanor databases while also performing a social security number trace and driving record review.

Employment Agencies
These agencies place caregivers with clients and generally collect a placement fee from the caregiver. Some agencies pre-screen and follow up to ensure customer satisfaction. In Illinois, employment agencies are not required to do criminal background checks. The employment agency typically does not pay employer/employee payroll taxes or workers’ compensation insurance. The client must assume all of the responsibilities of an employer, including payment of required taxes and withholding, as required by Illinois labor laws.

Hiring Privately
Independent providers of care, such as companions, aides or nurses, can be hired privately by the client. If an employer/employee relationship is established between the client and caregiver, the client will be responsible for all state and federal payroll requirements as well as workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation obligations. There may be some instances where the caregiver may be considered an “independent contractor”, and therefore responsible for his or her own taxes and insurance. The IRS has established clear guidelines to be used in determining whether a caregiver is an employee or an independent contractor, and in order to avoid unintentional liability, clients should consider these guidelines (and their consequences) before hiring a caregiver privately.

Why Our Office is Unique
In addition to being a Full Service Agency, Mike and I promise the following:

We will never ask you to sign a contract, guarantee a schedule or make an advance payment. You may terminate us at any time for any reason and will owe nothing more than services previously rendered.
An RN will supervise our caregivers.
Mike and I will be accessible to clients, family members and caregivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
We will know all of our clients personally and will always put their interest first. Other than our own family, our clients are our top priority.
We will take the time to find the best caregiver based on your requirements. She/He will have both the skills to perform the required duties and the personality that will make them a welcome visitor time after time.
You will always have the opportunity to meet and approve of the caregiver before they start.
We will strive to have a back-up caregiver available in case the primary caregiver is sick or cannot make it.
You will always have the final say as to the personalized care plan.
We will keep all information confidential and respect your privacy.

Partners, Affiliates, Members

ASSP Association of Senior Service Providers - DuPage Board Member	Aging Well Community Team Leader
National Association for Home Care & Hospice Member	NPDA National Private Duty Association Member
West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Co-chair of the Health & Wellness Committee	SR Alliance Member
WSBA Western Springs Business Association Secretary, Board Member