Hiring a care-giver

CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

The concept of caring for an elderly, frail or ill family member at home is more appealing to many people than having their loved one placed in an institution. However, if you are thinking of caring for someone at home, don't be caught unawares. The Bulletin spoke with Jerry Kushner, founder and director of VanCare Health Resources Ltd., to get some tips on what you can do to make sure that you hire a qualified care-giver.

1. Interview the prospective care-giver or companion and contact their references.

2. If you decide that this person may be a good match for you and your family, make sure they undergo a criminal record check and a TB (tuberculosis) or medical test before you hire them.

3. Once you are satisfied with the person's qualifications and you are ready to offer them the job, Kushner recommends that you advise them that they are an employee – that implies having a TD1 form, so that you (the employer) can deduct taxes, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance. There are tax tables available to help you figure out the deductions.

4. Finally, Kushner advises that you, as an employer, carry substantial liability insurance, as well as register with the Workers' Compensation Board, in case the employee is injured in your home.

People generally do not think of these things until a situation or an incident occurs, said Kushner.

"What happens if the person doesn't give you notice and walks out on you? What happens if the person steals [from you] and you want to press charges? What do you do? These are things that come up and are not ever anticipated by people," he said. "That's why there are home support agencies who have all the infrastructure established in order to deal with grievances, with abuses, with fraud, with theft and things of that nature."

Kushner admitted that there are people who've had care-givers living in their home and working for them for many years and these issues have never arisen. But he said that such cases are rare.

"It is cheaper, if you don't get caught," said Kushner about hiring people without following the steps outlined above. "But basically you are doing something illegal."

VanCare has been providing in-home health services for nine years. Kushner also operates the Canadian Family Resource Institute and Career College which trains care-givers.

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