Choices - Working with an Agency or Doing your own Hiring

First, decide how you want to hire your personal assistant (PA). Will you hire an independent provider, a family member, or to get a personal assistant through an agency or list from another organization? (Described in Modes of Service).

The pros and cons of each form of personal assistant services follows:

Hiring an independent provider
Hiring through an agency
Hiring through an intermediate service organization (ISO)
Hiring (paid or unpaid) family members

After considering each, you will be able to make a choice that best meets your needs.

Pros and Cons of Hiring an Independent Provider

Pros

You can choose who to hire.
You have the greatest consumer choice and control.
You have control and can direct that tasks be done the way you want.
There are no restrictions on duties or driving that you both agree to.
Cost usually is lower than with an agency.
You can get more hours of work for fewer dollars because the cost is lower.
You have the flexibility of scheduling the hours for when you need them.
You can lower some of your costs by bartering other services, or by offering room and board as partial payment.

Cons

You have to recruit, interview, do reference and background checks.
There is no back up if the worker can't work. You have to plan and develop a back-up system.
You have to do the paper work for employee payroll and taxes, and your own share of employer taxes.
It may be hard to keep workers because of the lower pay and no benefits.

Pros and Cons of Hiring through an Agency

Pros

There is a built-in back-up system if your regular worker doesn't show up, needs time off or quits suddenly.
Agencies generally have trained and licensed staff if you need care that requires a licensed professional such as a nurse.
The agency does the recruiting, interviewing, and reference checking for you.
The agency does the taxes, tax reporting, benefits and other managerial details.
If you have problems with a worker, it is easier to arrange for a replacement worker.

Cons

Costs are higher because the agency is dealing with the managerial tasks for you.
You may be able to afford fewer hours of service because of the higher cost.
Agencies may have minimum time requirements. They may require a four-hour shift. Most agencies will not permit splitting the shift (two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening).
Some agencies may not allow you a choice of workers.
Agency workers may not be permitted to do certain tasks.

If you decide to use an agency, we provide an Agency Checklist, which is list of questions that will help you to decide which agency would best meet your needs.

Pros and Cons of Hiring through an Intermediate Service Organization (ISO)

Pros

The ISO usually has a list of workers and can provide you with a choice of workers.
The ISO can provide back up if your worker is unable to be there.
The ISO may have some basic rules for the worker, but the worker functions as an independent provider.
Cost of services is usually less than those of a home care agency.

Cons

The ISO most likely will not have staff if you need the services of a licensed professional.
Costs usually are higher than hiring an independent provider.

Pros and Cons of Hiring (paid or unpaid) Family Members

Pros

You do not have to go through the recruiting and hiring process.
You know and trust the person who will be helping you.
The person knows your condition, personality, basic likes and dislikes.
It may be easier to set a schedule with a family member.
Family members are allowed to provide some care services that otherwise would require you to have a licensed professional.

Cons

Your personal relationship with the family member can be at risk if she needs to provide all of your care and services.
Family members may think they can provide all the services you need. They may want to do it. But they become overworked and do not attend to their own needs and interests. This can lead to depression, feelings of guilt and burnout.
Problems from the past between you and a family member can come up again. Old problems between you can make you uncomfortable.
Family members may want to protect you. If they are too protective, you could become more dependent. You may give up some of your independence. As family, they also may feel freer to tell you what you should or should not do, or feel they know what is best for you.
It may be harder to establish an employer and employee relationship with a family member. It may be harder to get them to follow your written job description or work agreement.
Your life can become difficult if problems develop in your relationship and you live with the family member.

Go to Job Description Next

Hiring > Choices