Nurse Registry vs. Home Care Agency: What Is the Difference?
When you start looking for a caregiver in Florida, you will find two kinds of licensed providers: nurse registries and home care agencies. Both can help your loved one stay safe at home, but they work in different ways. Accountable Home Care, Inc. is a locally family-owned and operated, licensed nurse registry in Palm Beach Gardens, serving families since 2014. Here is an honest look at how the two compare, so you can choose what fits your family.
Have questions about how a nurse registry works?
A care coordinator will walk you through it and help you decide what fits your family. There is no long-term contract.
The Two Side by Side
| Nurse registry | Home care agency | |
|---|---|---|
| How caregivers work | Independent contractors referred to you | Employees of the agency |
| State license | Licensed by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) | Licensed by AHCA |
| Background screening | Required by Florida law for every caregiver referred | Required by Florida law for employees |
| Choosing your caregiver | You can interview and choose your caregiver | The agency usually assigns caregivers |
| Who directs daily care | You and your family, often with an RN geriatric care manager | The agency supervises its staff |
| Cost | Often lower hourly rates | Rates usually include agency overhead |
| Registered nurse visits | Available for an additional cost | May be included or billed separately |
How a Nurse Registry Works
A nurse registry is licensed in Florida to refer caregivers to clients. Registries can refer registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and home health aides, and companions and homemakers. Under Florida law, caregivers referred by a registry are independent contractors, not employees of the registry.
Before referring anyone, a licensed registry must:
- Complete the background screening required by Florida law
- Check that each caregiver’s license or certification is current
- Confirm that CNAs and home health aides are trained for home care
- Keep proof that each caregiver is free from communicable diseases
Florida law also says a registry may not supervise or train the caregivers it refers, and must tell you this when care begins. In practice, you and your family direct the day-to-day care, and the registry helps you find, screen and replace caregivers as your needs change.
Adding an RN Geriatric Care Manager
Many of our clients choose to retain a licensed registered nurse (RN) geriatric care manager in addition to the licensed caregivers we refer. The care manager works for your family and looks at the whole picture, both medical and non-medical:
- Oversees care and checks that the care plan is working for your loved one
- Coordinates with multiple physicians, specialists and pharmacies, so everyone has the same information
- Follows up on medical concerns such as new symptoms, medication changes and hospital discharges
- Advocates for your loved one at appointments, in the hospital and with insurance
- Keeps the family informed, especially when relatives live out of town
Together, an RN care manager and a dedicated caregiver give many families the hands-on help of private care and the professional oversight they want, with you in charge of every decision. Ask us how to add a care manager to your loved one’s private duty care.
How a Home Care Agency Works
A home care agency hires caregivers as its own employees. The agency assigns caregivers, supervises and trains its staff, and handles payroll. Many families like that structure. The trade-off is usually less say in who your caregiver is and higher hourly rates, because the price includes the agency’s overhead.
Why Families Choose a Nurse Registry
- Choice: you can interview caregivers and choose the person who fits your loved one’s needs and personality
- Consistency: many families keep the same caregiver for a long time
- Value: registry rates are often lower than agency rates for the same hours
- Flexibility: from a few hours a week to 24-hour care, with no long-term contract
- Nurse support: a registered nurse is available when needed for an additional cost
- Personal service: a boutique, concierge-style team that knows your family
When an Agency May Be the Better Fit
An agency may suit you better if you want the provider to supervise caregivers day to day and handle every scheduling detail for you. If you are not sure, call us. We will explain both options honestly and help you decide.
Questions to Ask Any Home Care Provider
- Are you licensed by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)?
- Are your caregivers background-screened as Florida law requires?
- Are caregivers licensed or certified, and how do you check?
- Can we interview the caregiver before care starts?
- What happens if our caregiver is sick or on vacation?
- Is there a minimum number of hours or a long-term contract?
- Do you work with long-term care insurance?
Paying for Care Through a Nurse Registry
- Long-term care insurance: many policies pay for in-home care. Our care navigators can help you start a claim. See the policies we work with.
- Veterans benefits: see home care for veterans.
- Private pay: the national average for non-medical home care is about $35 per hour. See how much home care costs.
Common Questions About Nurse Registries
Is a nurse registry licensed? Yes. Nurse registries in Florida are licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and must follow state rules, including background screening for every caregiver they refer.
Are registry caregivers less qualified than agency caregivers? No. Registry caregivers must hold the same licenses and certifications for the work they do, such as a CNA certification or home health aide training.
Can I meet the caregiver first? Yes. Many families interview caregivers before care starts, once we understand your loved one’s needs.
Who oversees my loved one’s care with a nurse registry? You and your family direct the care. Many families also retain an RN geriatric care manager to oversee medical and non-medical needs, coordinate with physicians and advocate for their loved one.
What if the caregiver is not the right fit? Tell your care coordinator and we will refer a different caregiver. See caregivers available.
Talk to a Local Nurse Registry
Call (561) 320-0055 or schedule a free in-home assessment. We serve families across Palm Beach and Martin County, including Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Boca Raton and Stuart.