If you choose to hire an at-home caregiver independently, the first thing you need to decide is whether to treat the person as an employee or as a contractor. If you hire an employee, you'll be legally responsible for paying taxes and benefits such as Social Security and Medicare (FICA), income tax withholding, and unemployment tax. Payroll preparation agencies such as Paycycle and SurePayroll can help you with the accounting and paperwork.

If you hire the worker as a contractor, you'll still have to file a 1099 form with the IRS on any wages you pay over $600 per year. However, the aide would be responsible for paying her own taxes.

If you choose to hire independently, you may want to consult a lawyer and an accountant to make sure you're meeting your legal and financial obligations to the employee and to the state and federal governments.