Why Choose Licensed Home Care Instead of Private Home Care? Pros & Cons

When deciding on home care for a loved one, it’s crucial to understand why choose licensed home care instead of private home care can make a significant difference. Licensed home care offers enhanced safety, reliability, and adherence to professional standards, providing peace of mind that private arrangements may lack. In this article, we’ll explore the key benefits of licensed home care, helping you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• Licensed home care provides regulated, professional services with trained caregivers, offering greater safety and personalized care plans compared to unregulated private home care.
• The accountability of licensed agencies, through background checks, liability insurance, and regulatory compliance, ensures peace of mind for families and a higher quality of care.
• Although licensed home care may entail higher costs, it offers significant value through comprehensive services, transparency in pricing, and flexibility in care management.

Understanding Licensed Home Care vs. Private Home Care

Home care refers to supportive personal care services and home health services, including human services, provided in home care services an individual’s home, ranging from assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing to nonmedical supports that help seniors live independently.

Licensed home care is typically offered through agencies that provide certified services, while private home care involves caregivers who are often unlicensed and hired directly by families. Licensed home care stands out due to its regulatory oversight and adherence to professional care standards, ensuring a safer and more reliable service compared to the often unregulated nature of private caregivers.

Recognizing these differences helps in making an informed decision about the best care for your loved ones.

Licensed Home Care Overview

Licensed home care services encompass a wide range of professional support, including skilled nursing care, medication administration, and various rehabilitative therapies. Caregivers from licensed home care agencies are credentialed professionals, often bonded, licensed, and insured, ensuring high-quality care.

Available around the clock, these services offer flexibility and peace of mind. Licensed home care agencies must adhere to strict regulatory requirements, which enhance the reliability and consistency of the care provided.



This framework guarantees tailored care to meet specific needs.

Private Home Care Overview

Private home care, on the other hand, involves independent caregivers who are often hired directly by families, allowing for customized care tailored to specific needs. These caregivers may provide a range of services, from housekeeping and meal preparation to companionship and personal care, such as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing and dressing.



However, families hiring private caregivers must manage various responsibilities, including conducting background checks, managing payroll, and creating job descriptions. This can be a complicated process, with potential hidden costs and the risk of being without care if the caregiver is unavailable. Additionally, finding a professionally trained and licensed caregiver can be challenging when hiring independently.

Benefits of Choosing Licensed Home Care

Opting for licensed home care provides numerous advantages, offering safer and more reliable service. Benefits include professional training, thorough background checks, and liability insurance, contributing to higher care standards and peace of mind.

Licensed home care agencies provide tailored services designed to meet individual family needs and preferences, ensuring that each client receives personalized attention. These advantages highlight why families choose licensed home care, which includes professional oversight and a commitment to high-quality care.

Professional Training & Expertise

Caregivers and nursing assistants at licensed home care agencies receive expert training from state-licensed registered nurses, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care. This training includes ongoing education in specific care techniques, such as personal care and medical needs, which enhances their ability to address a wide range of client requirements.

The combination of expert and ongoing training fosters a higher standard of care in licensed home care settings, ensuring that caregivers are always up-to-date with the latest best practices.

Comprehensive Background Checks

Thorough background checks are crucial to prevent elder abuse and ensure quality care. Licensed home care agencies verify caregivers’ history and credentials through comprehensive background checks. This rigorous vetting ensures caregiver reliability and safety, giving families peace of mind.

Liability Insurance & Legal Compliance

Licensed home care agencies offer professional liability insurance to protect clients and caregivers from potential risks. This insurance covers clients for any damages or liabilities that may arise during care.

Full bonding and insurance ensure caregivers are accountable, offering families peace of mind and legal protections not typically provided by private caregivers.

Quality of Care

Licensed home care agencies often provide superior care due to strict guidelines and professional standards. Licensed home care services include skilled nursing, medication management, and rehabilitation therapies, all performed by professionals with medical training.

They implement comprehensive safety measures and maintain effective communication with medical staff to align care plans with prescribed treatments. Consequently, clients often report feeling safer and more independent, leading to a better quality of life.

Consistent Care Standards

Regular audits ensure caregivers meet established standards and address potential issues. Safety training sessions and emergency response plans prepare caregivers for unexpected situations or accidents.

This support system guarantees consistent, high-quality care.

Continued Education & Specialized Training

Licensed agency caregivers receive ongoing training to maintain professional skills across a range of health topics. Agencies offer advanced classes on conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, along with refresher trainings on the latest care techniques.

Mandatory training on safety protocols ensures caregivers are well-prepared for various situations.

Ease of Hiring and Management

Licensed home care agencies simplify the process of hiring caregivers, making it easier for families. They handle the vetting process, ensure caregivers are skilled and reliable, and offer flexible scheduling.

This hassle-free experience is a major reason families choose licensed home care over independent caregivers.

Free Matching Services

Home care agencies use matching systems to pair clients with caregivers based on individual needs and preferences. Licensed agencies provide free matching services to help clients find suitable caregivers, ensuring personalized care.

Considering specific requirements and preferences, these systems simplify finding the right caregiver, leading to better outcomes.

Reliable Support Staff

Licensed home care agencies prioritize consistent care to enhance client satisfaction and well-being. Support staff provide alternative caregivers when regular ones are unavailable, ensuring consistent care.



Information and assistance are available 24/7 through customer service call centers, ensuring clients always have support.

Personalized Care Plans

Personalized care plans, a hallmark of licensed home care, are designed to meet each individual’s unique needs and preferences. Care coordinators use the initial meeting to understand the client’s specific needs, tailoring the care plan to support their daily routines and independence.



These plans focus on individual health conditions and preferences, ensuring appropriate home care.

Adaptable Over Time

Personalized care plans require regular updates to accommodate changes in a patient’s health or lifestyle. Continuous communication ensures the client’s changing needs are met, providing ongoing satisfaction. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining the care plan’s effectiveness over time.

Integration with Medical Staff

Caregivers in licensed home care agencies liaise between clients and licensed medical professionals, ensuring all medical instructions are effectively communicated and followed. These caregivers receive specialized training tailored to their clients’ specific needs, enabling them to implement medical guidance in daily care.

This integration ensures the care plan is comprehensive and aligned with the client’s medical needs.

Safety and Security

Safety and security are paramount when choosing a home care provider, directly impacting service quality and peace of mind. Licensed home care agencies ensure client safety through extensive background screenings, utilizing state and federal databases to investigate caregivers’ criminal history and professional licenses.

These comprehensive checks ensure caregiver reliability and client safety.

Safety Protocols

Licensed home care agencies establish safety protocols to protect clients and caregivers during personal care tasks. Protocols include routine actions to prevent injury, ensure a safe environment, maintain hygiene, and provide peace of mind.

Maintaining these protocols ensures clients receive care in a secure and supportive environment.

Fully Bonded & Insured

Full bonding and insurance provide crucial legal and financial protections for caregivers. Agency insurance covers claims, protecting homeowners from liability and ensuring caregiver accountability.

This coverage also protects against theft or damage caused by caregivers, offering families peace of mind and safeguarding against potential risks.

Cost Considerations

Cost considerations significantly influence the decision-making process for home care services. Licensed home care agencies often offer greater oversight and regulatory compliance compared to private care, affecting overall cost. They offer necessary legal protections through liability insurance, minimizing client risks.

Although independent caregivers’ costs are lower, the comprehensive benefits of licensed agencies often outweigh the extra expense. Licensed agencies comply with local and state regulations, including maintaining liability insurance for potential incidents. Clients of licensed home care agencies benefit from legal protections not typically offered by private caregivers. The independent caregivers' costs remain a consideration for many families.

Transparent Pricing

Licensed home care agencies offer transparent pricing models, avoiding hidden costs and making it easier for families to budget. The average hourly rate for agency home care is $21, while independent caregivers typically earn 20% to 30% less. Agencies often require minimum contracted hours, usually between two to four hours daily, ensuring consistent and reliable care.

Transparent pricing helps families make informed financial decisions without worrying about unforeseen costs.

Value for Money

Despite higher upfront costs, licensed home care offers significant value through comprehensive services and protections. Licensed home care agencies offer transparent pricing, providing clarity and avoiding hidden costs.

They provide liability insurance and legal compliance, protecting clients from potential risks. With tailored care plans, high-quality care, and ease of hiring and managing caregivers, licensed home care is a solid investment in health and well-being.

How to Get Started with Androscoggin Valley Home Care Services (AVHCS)

If considering home care for a loved one, Androscoggin Valley Home Care Services (AVHCS) offers compassionate and professional in-home care solutions. AVHCS is a trusted provider of home health care services in northern New Hampshire.



Getting started involves an initial consultation, developing a care plan, and providing ongoing support to ensure the best possible care.

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is a critical first step in determining the right care for clients. During this FREE Caring Consult, caregivers assess the health needs and concerns of the individual. This consultation allows caregivers to understand the specific needs and preferences of the client, ensuring personalized care.

A tailored approach is essential for effective home care, making the initial consultation a necessary component of the service delivery process.

Developing a Care Plan

Based on the initial assessment, a perfectly matched caregiver is assigned to address the individual’s health and personal care needs. The care plan is developed to ensure that the caregiver’s skills align with the client’s requirements, providing a comprehensive and personalized approach to home care.

This process ensures that clients receive the best possible care tailored to their unique circumstances.

Ongoing Support

Licensed home care ensures a higher quality of care, offering ongoing support that adapts to client needs. Licensed home care agencies provide reliable support staff, which is crucial in maintaining continuity of care for clients.

The care plans created by licensed home care agencies are adaptable over time, allowing modifications to meet changing health and personal needs. An initial consultation is conducted to assess care needs and preferences, followed by the development of a personalized care plan.

Summary

In conclusion, licensed home care offers numerous advantages over private home care, including professional training, comprehensive background checks, liability insurance, and personalized care plans. The quality of care provided by licensed agencies is superior, ensuring consistent and reliable support tailored to individual needs. Androscoggin Valley Home Care Services (AVHCS) exemplifies these benefits, providing compassionate and professional home health care services. For those considering home care for their loved ones, AVHCS presents a trusted and dependable option. We encourage you to explore AVHCS’s services and connect with their team to ensure the best possible care for your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions