A private duty caregiver whose whole shift belongs to one person
One-on-one, non-medical care at home, paid privately, on the hours your family chooses, with no doctor's order and no limit on visits.
From our office in Cranford, serving Union County, NJ.
What private duty care means
A private duty caregiver gives one person non-medical care at home, on a schedule the family arranges and pays for directly rather than through Medicare or Medicaid. They help with bathing, dressing, meals, getting around, medication reminders, housework, errands and company, for as many hours as the family wants.
The name sets it apart from care that insurance arranges. Medicare home health sends a nurse or therapist for short visits when a doctor orders them, and stops when the skilled need ends. Private duty care has no doctor's order, no cap on visits and no end date. You decide the hours: four on weekday mornings, every night, or around the clock.
Always Responsive Home Care has provided private duty care since 2010. Our caregivers are our own employees, and registered nurses write every care plan and supervise the caregivers who follow it. We support our caregivers and treat them like family, which is a big reason they stay.
When families choose private duty care
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When Medicare home health ends
The visiting nurse and therapist sign off, but your father still can't shower safely on his own.
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When the family is stretched
A daughter who works full time, a son three states away, a spouse who can't lift anymore.
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When someone shouldn't be alone
After falls, with dementia, or after a new diagnosis that has everyone uneasy.
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When you want a say in the schedule
Private duty care runs on your hours, not an insurer's.
Private duty caregiver, private duty nurse or Medicare home health
Three kinds of help get confused. A private duty caregiver is non-medical and paid privately. A private duty nurse is a licensed RN or LPN who gives skilled care, usually also paid privately. Medicare home health is part-time skilled care a doctor orders for someone who is homebound. We provide the first, and we'll point you to the others when you need them.
| Private duty caregiver | Private duty nurse | Medicare home health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What they do | Bathing, dressing, meals, getting around, reminders, housework, company | Skilled nursing such as wound care, injections, tube feeding and IV care | Part-time skilled nursing and therapy, with some aide visits |
| Doctor's order | Not needed | Needed for skilled tasks | Required |
| Hours | As many as you choose, up to around the clock | As many as you arrange | Part-time or occasional visits |
| Who pays | The family pays us directly, and long-term care insurance can reimburse them | Private pay or long-term care insurance | Medicare, for people who are homebound and need skilled care |
| Do we provide it | Yes | No, we can refer you | No, we can refer you |
Many families use Medicare home health and a private duty caregiver at the same time after a hospital stay. Our home health care vs. home care explainer covers how they fit together.
What private duty care costs
Through an agency, the hourly rate covers more than the caregiver's pay: payroll taxes, workers' compensation, insurance, background checks, training, a nurse's supervision, and a replacement when your caregiver is out. Hiring someone directly can look cheaper per hour, but those costs and risks become yours.
Medicare doesn't pay for private duty care. We're a private-pay agency, so families pay us directly, and if your loved one has long-term care insurance, we file the claims so the policy reimburses you. Veterans and surviving spouses may be able to put VA Aid and Attendance toward the cost; see veterans home care.
What one-on-one care gives you
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Undivided attention
The caregiver is there for one person, not a hallway of residents.
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Your hours
Mornings, a full day, nights or around the clock, and you can change them.
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Someone who knows them
We aim for the same caregiver, so they learn the routine and notice when something changes.
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A nurse behind the plan
A registered nurse writes the care plan and supervises the caregiver.
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No employer paperwork
We handle payroll, taxes, insurance and backup caregivers.
How hiring a private duty caregiver works
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A first conversation
Tell us about your parent, what's become hard, and the hours you have in mind.
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A nurse visits
A registered nurse comes for a free assessment, walks the home, goes over medications and routines, and writes the care plan.
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We match a caregiver
A dependable caregiver who suits the tasks, the schedule and your parent's personality. If it isn't right, we'll change it quickly.
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Care on your schedule
Add, cut or move hours as needs change. There's no long-term contract.
What families are saying
I would definitely recommend Always Responsive Home Care, Union County NJ!!!! My dad was in a very bad state, both physically and mentally, after my mom passed away. Dad was in the hospital for weeks and then at the rehab center for more weeks. We hired Always Responsive Home Care to send a caregiver to stay with dad every day at the rehab center as a companion and care giver while my sister and I were at work. The owners Frank and Gianni were wonderful. They arranged care for my dad within a day and even came to visit dad themselves several times, bringing him treats and keeping dad company. The caregiver Enoch was so great with dad. He chatted with him throughout the day, helped him in and out of bed and the bathroom, helped him with his meals, and made sure that my dad had anything he needed. We really appreciate everything that Always Responsive Home Care did for Dad. You will not go wrong hiring this team for your loved one.
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Questions about home care services
Still have a question? Call or text us. Someone is here to talk, any time of day.
(908) 691-3660Click or tap a question to see the answer.
What services do your caregivers provide?
Our caregivers help with everything your loved one needs to live safely and comfortably at home. This includes personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and help moving around the house safely. They also assist with everyday tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, and rides to appointments. Just as important, they provide friendly companionship, conversation, and medication reminders to help your loved one stay on track. Whether you need companion care, personal care, respite care for a family caregiver, or overnight and 24 hour care, we'll build a care plan around your loved one's routine.
Can a caregiver help with bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom?
Yes. Our caregivers are trained to help with personal care, including bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting. They always treat your loved one with patience, dignity, and respect, and follow their preferences and routines so they feel comfortable and in control. Personal care is one of the most common reasons families reach out to us, and it can make a big difference in keeping your loved one safe at home.
Do your caregivers drive clients to appointments and errands?
Yes. Our caregivers can drive your loved one to doctor's appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, the salon, church, or a visit with friends. They stay with your loved one the whole time, so they're never left waiting alone or struggling to get in and out of the car. If the caregiver uses their own vehicle, mileage is billed at the standard federal (IRS) mileage rate. Caregivers can also drive your loved one's car, and we simply make sure every vehicle used is properly insured.
Do you provide overnight or 24 hour care?
Yes, we provide both. Overnight care gives your loved one an awake caregiver through the night to help with bathroom trips, prevent falls, and offer reassurance if they wake up confused or anxious. It also lets the rest of the family finally get a good night's sleep. For loved ones who need support around the clock, our 24 hour care is provided in shifts, so there's always a caregiver who is alert, rested, and ready to help.
Do you care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Yes, dementia care is one of our specialties. Every caregiver receives Alzheimer's and dementia training when they join us, along with ongoing training throughout the year. They know how to gently guide your loved one through daily routines, ease confusion and anxiety, and keep them safe at home, all with patience and compassion. We also take the time to learn your loved one's history, interests, and favorite things so we can create moments of comfort and connection every day.
Can a caregiver give medications?
Our caregivers can't administer medications, but they can provide medication reminders to help your loved one take the right medicine at the right time. Every situation is different, so our team will talk with you about safe options for managing your loved one's medications and help you find the approach that works best for your family.
Let's talk about care for your family
Send the form and our Union County team will call you back to talk about your loved one and set up a free in-home assessment. There's no cost and no obligation.
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