About Becoming a Caregiver

If you are seeking job satisfaction and personal fulfillment beyond a paycheck, caregiving may be the career for you. Senior Home Care Agencies look for caring individuals who are self-motivated, trustworthy and have both professional and personal character references. Agencies hire individuals with formal training, such as Certified Nursing Aides, as well as individuals who have personal experience assisting a relative or friend's care needs.

Most agencies provide training programs or will connect you with training opportunities through associations or community programs. Remember, every Caregiver had a first day on the job!

What Questions will the Senior Home Care Agency Application Ask?

Applications for Employment typically ask for the following information:

• 3 professional references (names, addresses, phone numbers)
• 3 personal references (names, addresses, phone numbers)
• Education (with dates of graduation/completion)
• Specialized Training Completed (seminars, continuing education courses)
• Previous Work History (will need names of Supervisors and phone numbers)
• Volunteer Work

What special testing or information will be required?

1. Background Checks are required and may include any or all of the following: Social Security verification, Department of Motor Vehicles record, Worker's Compensation Information, Credit History and Criminal History. Learn more about Background Checks.
2. Drug Test (some agencies test in the field)
3. Employment Agreement which may include a non-compete/non-disclosure agreement with the Home Care Agency
4. Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification

What Employee Benefits are offered?

As a caregiver applicant, you may be eligible for the following benefits upon hire with a Home Care Agency. Ask the agency about their specific benefits when you interview.

• Health Insurance (may require co-payments)
• Dental Insurance (may require co-payments)
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Hospital Indemnity Plan
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Retention Bonus
• Company Holiday Pay
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Discounted Entertainment Tickets
• Credit Union Membership
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus for Referring Other Caregiver Applicants and Clients

What Benefits are Required by Law?

All Senior Home Care Agencies, as employers in the United States, must provide contributions to Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance. Learn more about Caregiverlist's Quality Standards for participating Senior Home Care Agencies.

How much money do Caregivers earn?

Caregiver pay varies by regions of the country but will typically pay a couple dollars more than minimum wage (minimum wage varies by state, visit the Department of Labor website for state minimum wages).

Hourly rates typically start between $8.00 and $10.00 per hour.
Daily rates typically start between $90 and $120.00 per day.

When working for an agency you may qualify for overtime pay if you go over a 40-hour work week for hourly care. You will also qualify for other employee benefits.

What are the minimum hours required to work for a Senior Home Care Agency?

Agencies hire both full-time and part-time Caregivers and live-in Caregivers and will often accommodate unique schedules for high-quality Caregivers. This makes Caregiving an option for individuals who may be going to school part-time or full-time, especially if they are pursuing an education in a related field such as Social Work or Nursing. Are you ready to be a Caregiver? Contact a senior care agency in your area to get started.