Yes, used them when I needed a caregiver post surgery for about 9 months. It was a pretty good service. They post their costs and matched me online with a caregiver. I saved about $10 per hour using them over a agency and have a better caregiver. Had used care.com too was not very impressed. I would recommend them as an alternative. I really like the matching feature. It tells you how far away, the caregiver rate, and experience prior to reaching out to them. Of course, not a lot of support, but the system worked great and I am not super computer literate. Best part there is no cost until you actually hire a caregiver unlike care.com which charges a monthly fee which is hard to turn off.
Ok, I just went on their website. They do pretty much the same thing an agency would do except you have to hire the caregiver. Granted they do the background checks, but so does an agency. They will search their data base for caregivers, so do other companies like Care.com. They will do the paperwork, so does an agency. There are advantages and dis advantages to hiring privately vs through an agency. How effective KeepSafe would be in your area would be determined by how many caregivers they have based in your area. All agencies will take a % of the hourly rate. the Hourly rate and the % taken will be different across the country. If you live in San Francisco, Chicago, New York it will cost more to hire a caregiver than if you live in a other areas where the cost of living is less.
Look at other ways to afford caregivers. Contact Area Agency on Aging, does your loved one qualify for any services? is your loved one a Veteran, the VA may have programs that will provide caregivers. What kind of caregiving is needed? Would your loved one qualify for Adult Day programs?
A little more info as to who needs care, how much and what care is needed might help and get you more ideas/info.
When I worked for the Visiting Nurses, we had CNAs come in and asked to be put on a list I kept. Anyone asking about aides I gave or sent them a list. We did tell them, these were not our employees and they were responsible for getting background checks. If you community offers Visiting Nurses or has a non-profit "in home care agency" maybe they can supply such a list.
Have no answer, but... No kidding! Just to see, I called them. Went to VM. Care.com isn't so hot either. Tried to apply several months ago and got rejected - bumped out. Was given no reason as to why. Have (spotless background record). Don't know about others; however, I an NOT good with giving faceless entities my SS number.
Don't use a service like this. Hire a private-pay caregiver through a website like care.com or some other. This way you can check their references yourself and interview them yourself. You pay them directly and eliminate the middle-man (agency) who takes part of their pay and offers them or you absolutely nothing in return. Look on a caregiver website and you'll find someone reputable who will come with good references.
"Keep Safe Care reduces the burden and cost of care in the home by offering these three solutions: - A sliding fee scale - no minimums for hours or costs - using automation to keep costs down.
Because of this combination, we are able to charge below market rate (which in Austin, Texas is $29/hour) while paying our caregivers more than what most agencies pay. As an example: most agencies take 60% to 70% of the fee charged and pay the caregiver the remainer. So if an agency is charging you $30 per hour, they are paying their caregiver $11 to $12 an hour and pocketing the rest. Keep Safe Care is just the opposite, we pay our caregivers at least 2/3rds ($19 to $20 per hour) of our hourly rate and take less due to our ability to reduce operating costs signficantly. Doing this ensures reliable, dependable and consistent caregivers. "
Sounds like an interesting business model but only time will tell if it works. I'm curious how they work out the sliding scale fee and what "automation" really means.
If you live in the Austin, TX area you can go on Nextdoor.com and ask if anyone has used the service.
I'd like to know how they offer support if everything is done through automation. Who covers a caregiver's shift if they call out sick? If there's an emergency in the home and the caregiver has to call the office, does the automated robot handle it?
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They will do the paperwork, so does an agency.
There are advantages and dis advantages to hiring privately vs through an agency.
How effective KeepSafe would be in your area would be determined by how many caregivers they have based in your area.
All agencies will take a % of the hourly rate. the Hourly rate and the % taken will be different across the country. If you live in San Francisco, Chicago, New York it will cost more to hire a caregiver than if you live in a other areas where the cost of living is less.
Look at other ways to afford caregivers.
Contact Area Agency on Aging, does your loved one qualify for any services?
is your loved one a Veteran, the VA may have programs that will provide caregivers.
What kind of caregiving is needed? Would your loved one qualify for Adult Day programs?
A little more info as to who needs care, how much and what care is needed might help and get you more ideas/info.
You pay them directly and eliminate the middle-man (agency) who takes part of their pay and offers them or you absolutely nothing in return.
Look on a caregiver website and you'll find someone reputable who will come with good references.
"Keep Safe Care reduces the burden and cost of care in the home by offering these three solutions:
- A sliding fee scale
- no minimums for hours or costs
- using automation to keep costs down.
Because of this combination, we are able to charge below market rate (which in Austin, Texas is $29/hour) while paying our caregivers more than what most agencies pay. As an example: most agencies take 60% to 70% of the fee charged and pay the caregiver the remainer. So if an agency is charging you $30 per hour, they are paying their caregiver $11 to $12 an hour and pocketing the rest. Keep Safe Care is just the opposite, we pay our caregivers at least 2/3rds ($19 to $20 per hour) of our hourly rate and take less due to our ability to reduce operating costs signficantly. Doing this ensures reliable, dependable and consistent caregivers. "
Sounds like an interesting business model but only time will tell if it works. I'm curious how they work out the sliding scale fee and what "automation" really means.
If you live in the Austin, TX area you can go on Nextdoor.com and ask if anyone has used the service.
Who covers a caregiver's shift if they call out sick? If there's an emergency in the home and the caregiver has to call the office, does the automated robot handle it?