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I have been working as a caregiver for an agency for over 4 years. I work between 80 and 100 hours a week.
I am a good caregiver and all of my clients have loved me. I treat my clients like they are family. The problem is that I don't get paid very well. No overtime or benefits. I just asked for a raise and was denied because the agency isn't making enough money right now, even though they make more per hour off my clients than I do.
I would really like to work independently, but I do not know how to go about finding private caregiving jobs.

I have been a private caregiver for almost 35 yrs nows. A good place to start is..
Get your past employers/clients to write references
Then go on Care.com and create a profile and follow the prompts.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Grandma217
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Care.com

Nextdoor.com

Personal references

FYI this is not an employment forum. We are mostly caregivers to elderly parents or relatives.

So, you work overtime and get no OT pay? Or benefits? At a legitimate agency?? That doesn't sound kosher. Please check your labor laws in your home state.

Also, please know that in most states the IRS does not consider private caregivers as contractors. Therefore you will be an employee of any client. This means they pay you above the board, withhold for Medicare and SS, and issue a W2 at the end of the year. You should always always have a written contract no matter what. They should have adjusted liability insurance and so should you.

You can find some pretty sad stories on this forum of people who went into caregiving unprepared and niave. They endured problems that were 100% avoidable.

Also, NEVER move in and become a live-in caregiver for any amount of money because it means you are on call 24/7 and won't be taking sick days, vacation or getting paid OT. Just like you are in your current job.

Wishing you success in finding a better employment situation.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Thank you. No, I am considered an independent contractor. The agency doesn't have to pay me overtime or benefits. I would never take a job as a live in caregiver, I already know that I would be expected to be on call 24/7.
I'm a good Caregiver because I really do care about my clients. I'm honest and dependable. However this is such a hard job and the pay is pretty bad.
Thank you for the tips.
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Reply to Caregiverrae
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As an independent contractor it means u get a1099. So you make sure that you pay your payroll taxes? Because, I am under the impression that IRS does not consider CNAs or HHAs self-employed.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Caregiverrae May 2, 2024
Of Cource I pay my taxes.
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https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/home-care-independent-contractor-classification-new-mexico/
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Reply to Geaton777
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Wow, there sure are many looking for you because the most common question is how to find out how to hire someone outside of an agency which in general costs more.
I do wonder, in this day without newspapers, what folks are doing.
I don't know how something like care.com works, and if they take folks looking for work. I do know that there certainly are folks getting hooked up on nextdoor apps because I am seeing that. Both those looking for some help and those looking for some work. I see them there.
Other than that, I wonder about stopping by some care facilities in your area and asking. Also about working for an agency for a bit and there connecting with folks and talking with them.
If you are taking any certification classes, such as CPR, I would think there are perhaps ways there to connect.
I sure wish you luck. Hope you will update us.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Any update for us, Caregiver?
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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When my mother was in a large assisted living place, the postal area had bulletin boards. We frequently saw cards pinned there by caregivers looking for private-duty jobs. I live in an over-55 community, and we have bulletin boards as well as online connections where caregivers let us know they're available. Try facilities near you to see if they have such a place. Good luck.
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Reply to Fawnby
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