Privately Hiring and Paying for Assistance

If you are interested in obtaining outside assistance on your own, a listing of several resources has been compiled that could prove invaluable in your search.

The Paralyzed Veterans organization has available a “Managing Personal Assistants” guide that is helpful to all people in need of support as well as caregivers. It contains practical advice on wide ranging topics such as advertising for assistance, getting background checks, setting up time schedules and how to obtain assistance at little or no cost.

The Family Caregiver Alliance has compiled a very complete resource directory that includes organizations and services for older adults, adults with disabilities and grandparents raising grandchildren.

Other practical information, particularly the nuts and bolts of hiring and managing in-home workers, whether they are employed by an agency or those you have hired yourself, can be found at the Caregivers Library.