Looking for a private caregiver? Here's how to find the right caregiver without an agency.
Suddenly you are faced with a major challenge: a loved one urgently needs support, and you ask yourself: Where can I quickly find a reliable private caregiver, how much does it cost, and how can I be sure that everything is handled legally and trustworthily?
These are exactly the questions thousands of families in Austria ask themselves every day. The search for a private caregiver is often associated with uncertainty, time pressure, and many emotions. After all, it is about the well-being of someone who is close to your heart.
In this guide, you will receive clear answers and practical support:
- what realistic costs you can expect,
- where to find reputable caregivers,
- how to correctly formulate an ad (including a template),
- which legal aspects are truly important,
- and a checklist that helps you immediately recognize whether a caregiver is reliable.
So you don’t have to search for long, but instead quickly gain clarity and confidence and find the right support for your family.
A private caregiver can be like a personal anchor in everyday life. They provide individual care, adapt flexibly to your needs, and are often a more cost-effective alternative to traditional agencies. Especially for people who feel comfortable in their familiar surroundings, this is an invaluable advantage: you receive help exactly where it is needed – at home, in a familiar atmosphere.
Private caregivers often also meet the legal requirements placed on professional care staff. With noracares, it becomes easy to find the right caregiver who is not only professionally competent but also provides personal and trustworthy support.
Why are so many people looking for a private caregiver?
- More personality: Direct, personal contact instead of anonymous placement
- More say: You decide who comes into your home
- More affordable: No high agency fees, often flexible pricing
- Faster & simpler: You often find suitable care more quickly
This makes home care not only professional, but also warm and individual – tailored exactly to the people who need it.
If you have to choose between a private caregiver directly and one arranged through an agency, it is like deciding between a handpicked companion and a standardized service:
To make your care arrangement stable and secure, you need to clarify some legal points – this is not an annoying bureaucratic burden, but your safety net:
Legal employment or self-employment:
You can employ a caregiver as an employee or engage them as a self-employed professional.
If self-employed, the person needs a business license for “personal care” (e.g. under the Home Care Act).
Contract:
A written care contract is absolutely essential. Clearly agree on working hours, breaks, tasks, trial period, and termination conditions.
Insurance:
Make sure that health, accident, and liability insurance for the caregiver are properly arranged – especially essential for 24-hour care models.
Taxes & social insurance:
For employees: health & social insurance must be registered.
For the self-employed: social insurance (e.g. via SVS) and possibly VAT must be clarified.
Imagine you are building a small ship that navigates you through the often stormy waters of care costs : the private caregiver is your trusted sailor with whom you hold the helm together. But without the right sails (subsidies), the navigation instrument (clear contracts), and insurance (coverage & legal protection), the course can become dangerous. Done correctly, this ship will reliably bring you to shore – with financial relief, personal support, and security for you and your family.
The search for a private caregiver can be challenging, but there are clear steps you can follow to find the right person for your needs.
Qualifications and requirements
Consider which qualifications the caregiver should have. Does she have experience in caring for seniors or specific conditions such as dementia? Also pay attention to good German language skills and additional certificates that underline her competence.
Personality also plays a major and important role: empathy, patience, and good communication skills are some qualities the caregiver should bring.
Training and certification of caregivers
Depending on the area of responsibility, it is important that the caregiver has the required training and appropriate certificates. Ask to see references and proof to verify the information and ensure that the qualifications meet the requirements.
Nora’s helpful resources
Here you can download a checklist for selecting a caregiver.
The search for a private caregiver is more than just a search for support: it is about finding the right person to accompany a loved one with heart, respect, and attentiveness. When you open the door to your home, someone should enter who not only makes everyday life easier, but also brings warmth, trust, and security.
With noracares, this process becomes easier and safer. Our platform connects you directly with qualified caregivers who are precisely matched to the individual needs of your relative – uncomplicated, transparent, and reliable.
In this guide, we show you step by step how to quickly and specifically find the right caregiver so that your home remains a place where everyone feels well cared for.
Advantages of noracares when searching for a caregiver
Using noracares makes your search for a private caregiver significantly easier. With a user-friendly platform, verified caregivers, and flexible solutions, noracares offers many advantages that optimize and make the caregiver search process safer. We have summarized the most important benefits for you:
- Time savings and ease of use: The platform offers intuitive search and filter functions that allow you to quickly find suitable caregivers without having to search for long.
- Quality assurance and trust: All caregivers are reputable and trustworthy. Reviews and feedback from previous families give you additional security when making your selection.
- Flexibility and customization: Caregivers with different availabilities and qualifications can be found specifically – from full-time staff to hourly support.
- Individual care: The platform allows you to select caregivers who can respond exactly to the specific needs of your loved one – whether it is medical care or support in everyday life.
- Cost savings: If you find your caregiver through noracares and employ them privately, you save on many of the costs that would otherwise go to an agency .
- Direct communication: You can contact potential caregivers directly through the platform to clarify questions and hold initial conversations.
With noracares, the search for a suitable caregiver becomes not only more efficient, but also safer and more flexible, so that you can find the best possible support for your loved ones – tailored entirely to individual needs.
The search for a private caregiver is a crucial step that can fundamentally change everyday life for you, your loved one, and the entire family. With noracares, this path becomes not only manageable but also goal-oriented. We support you every step of the way!
Step 1: Registration and profile creation
The starting point of your journey is simple registration with noracares. Imagine laying the foundation for support that will enrich the life of your loved one. After signing up, you create a detailed search profile that acts like a precise map reflecting all wishes and requirements. You have the opportunity to record important details:
- What type of care does your loved one need? Is it daily household support, medical care, or perhaps compassionate companionship in everyday life?
- When and how often should the caregiver be available? Perhaps you are looking for someone for the whole day or only for certain hours.
- Are there personal preferences, such as a specific communication style or special skills the caregiver should bring?
The more precise and personal you design the profile, the greater the chance that the private caregiver who perfectly matches your loved one will feel addressed – like a tailored suit that fits individual needs perfectly.
Step 2: Filter options and targeted search
Once your profile is set up, you can take the compass in hand and begin the journey – using the versatile filter options of noracares. You are in control here: you can filter by qualifications, specific experience, or special skills that you and your loved one need. For example, if you need someone who is familiar with dementia or who already has experience with wheelchair users, the filters allow you to find exactly those individuals.
Another advantage is the ability to search by regional criteria, so you can find caregivers who are not only professional but also located near you.
Step 3: Compare and select profiles
You have now reached the point where you can compare the different caregiver profiles – it is like assembling a valuable mosaic. Each profile tells its own story and gives you insight into:
- The caregiver’s qualifications and certificates – like puzzle pieces that show you the overall picture of their professional suitability.
- Testimonials and reviews from previous families – these act like small lighthouses that guide you and build trust.
- A personal description of the caregiver, showing you how much heart and commitment they bring to their work.
Based on these criteria, you can filter out potential caregivers and then get to know them more closely.
After you have made a shortlist, the next crucial step begins: meeting in person and hiring the private caregiver. It is like opening the door to a new partnership – trust and clarity are at the center. Before the employment relationship begins, however, there are still a few steps ahead:
Step 4: Check qualifications and references
After gaining an initial impression of the caregivers’ qualifications, you should definitely request a detailed CV, (employment) references, and certificates. Check whether the caregiver has experience with the specific requirements of your loved one. Perhaps they have training in elderly care or even a medical background. These details are crucial to ensure that the caregiver is prepared for all challenges.
Step 5: Initial meeting and getting to know each other
The first meeting with the potential caregiver is like carefully feeling your way forward – a moment when you sense whether the chemistry is right and whether the caregiver truly fits your loved one. In an open conversation, it is not only about clarifying professional details, but also about exploring the interpersonal level. How does the caregiver respond to your questions? How do they envision the care? Here you can clearly express expectations and needs:
- What tasks arise in everyday life?
- What special requirements does your loved one have – physically, emotionally, or socially?
- How flexible is the caregiver regarding working hours?
Imagine walking through a house that is just being built and checking every room for functionality and harmony. The initial meeting serves to find out whether the caregiver not only fits into your “house,” but also helps to fill it with warmth and care.
Step 6: Contract design and legal aspects
Once you have found the right private caregiver, it is time for employment. The final step on this path is like setting a firm anchor: legal security creates trust and safety for both sides. A well-thought-out contract is like a blueprint that ensures every detail is considered.
In the contract, you jointly define working hours, areas of responsibility, and salary. Perhaps you need support around the clock or only at certain times – all of this should be clearly and precisely regulated. The arrangement of vacation times or substitutes in case of illness should also be discussed from the outset to avoid misunderstandings.
Not to forget are the legal framework conditions: registration with the relevant authorities and consideration of tax aspects ensure that everything is handled legally and correctly. It is like setting up signposts on a new road – you create a clear and secure foundation for long-term and trusting cooperation.
After hiring, it is about settling into everyday life. Successful collaboration with a caregiver is based on more than just a clear job description. It is about building a harmonious and trusting relationship that forms the foundation for effective and compassionate care. Here are some important tips to make this collaboration optimal:
Clear communication and expectations
Open and clear communication is the key to successful collaboration. You should formulate your expectations precisely from the very beginning and provide regular feedback. It is like creating a detailed map for your shared journey: the more precisely the route is described, the smoother the path will be. Clear agreements about tasks, working hours, and special needs prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both sides know what is expected.
Getting to know each other and building trust
Building a trusting relationship between the caregiver and the person in need of care is essential for successful collaboration. This relationship is like a delicate plant that needs time and care to flourish. Make sure the caregiver is empathetic and patient and strives to build a personal connection. If your loved one feels comfortable and respected, this will significantly improve the quality of care and overall well-being.
Regular coordination and flexibility
The care situation can change over time, and it is important to regularly coordinate tasks and care needs. Imagine steering a ship on the open sea – regular course corrections are necessary to reach your destination safely. Arrange regular meetings or conversations to review the current situation, make adjustments, and respond flexibly to new developments. In this way, care remains dynamic and adaptable, and you ensure that the needs of your loved one are always optimally met.
Searching for a caregiver is like searching for a precious treasure in a vast ocean. But you have now seen: there are clear paths to finding reputable support, realistically assessing costs, and staying legally secure. With noracares, this search becomes a guided adventure in which you not only find the right course, but also reach your destination safely and quickly. The platform acts as a reliable compass that helps you navigate through the waves of uncertainty and steer directly toward the treasures of the best caregivers.
Thanks to the simple use and efficient search functions of noracares, the path becomes shorter and clearer. Quality assurance and transparent communication build a solid foundation of trust and security. In this way, you not only find a qualified caregiver, but also one who seamlessly integrates into the life of your loved one. You save time, reduce stress, receive a safe and reliable solution, and can trust that your loved one is in good hands.
In the end, it is not just about organization, but about dignity, reliability, and a sense of security in one’s own home. That is exactly what families wish for, and that is exactly what this guide is meant to help you achieve.
Start your search on noracares today and find the perfect caregiver for your loved ones! Register now and experience how simple and stress-free this journey can be.
- Basic care: The non-medical, everyday activities that are part of self-care, such as help with personal hygiene, getting dressed, assisting with meals, and mobility.
- Home nursing care: Medical nursing services (e.g., wound care, administering medication) that are provided at home by qualified nursing professionals and go beyond basic care assistance.
- 24-hour care: A form of home care in which a caregiver lives in the household of the person being cared for and provides support around the clock.
- Contract for work: A type of contract in which a private caregiver works as a self-employed person and is responsible for social insurance and taxes themselves (often for 24-hour care in Austria).
- Care benefits in kind: Services that are provided directly by outpatient care services and billed to the long-term care fund (relevant for Germany).
- Relief amount: An additional monthly benefit from the long-term care fund (in Germany €125) that can be used for recognized support and relief services in everyday life.
- Deposit: An amount of money (usually 2–3 months' rent) that is paid as security when renting an apartment for the caregiver.
- Respite care: A benefit from the long-term care fund that covers the costs of a replacement caregiver if the regular caregiving person (usually a relative) is unavailable due to illness or vacation.
- Quality assurance: The process of reviewing and improving the quality of care. When searching for private caregivers, this is often ensured through references, certificates, and direct contact.
- Matching system: A feature of digital platforms (such as noracares) that brings together potential caregivers and families based on their individual criteria and needs.
