Frequently Asked Questions

What is home52?

home52 is a wholly owned, nonprofit subsidiary of Council on Aging (COA). For more than 50 years, our community has trusted COA to provide compassionate, cost-effective programs and services that help older adults and people with disabilities remain independent in their homes and communities.

Created in 2017, home52 is Council on Aging’s innovation hub focused on developing innovative services and products to meet the needs of stakeholders and partners. COA and home52 are experts at helping individuals, families and caregivers manage complex medical and long-term care needs.

Learn more about home52.

Who can be an AddnAide caregiver?

Anyone 18 or older can register via AddnAide. You must pass a background check (including fingerprinting), but no prior caregiving or home care experience is required.

AddnAide supports a variety of programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities. Requirements for becoming an approved caregiver vary by program.  

If you enjoy helping others, particularly older adults, have at least a few hours available each week, want to control your own schedule and choose the type of care tasks you provide, then AddnAide is for you!

How does AddnAide work?

AddnAide is a secure digital platform where you are matched with an older adult who needs in-home care services based on user-created profiles. When you match with an older adult who needs care, the older adult (or their designee) becomes your employer and you are their employee. The app makes the employment process seamless and safe, allowing you to:

• Create a profile with information about your skills and availability.
• Match with additional older adults (people who need care).
• Work with your employer to create a schedule of care that works for both of you.
• Communicate with your employer (and their care team) about schedule changes or any other issues that arise.

Who will I be working for?

AddnAide matches people who need care with those who want to provide it. When you create a profile in AddnAide and match with an older adult, that older adult (or someone they designate as their Employer of Record) becomes your employer.

What services will I be expected to provide?

Older adults in AddnAide are enrolled in programs that provide services which enable them to remain independent at home. These programs provide flexibility to allow older adults (or their designated Employer of Record) to hire their own home care workers (commonly referred to as aides or providers). Older adults who use AddnAide also have a professional care manager who has assessed them and determined which services they need in order to live independently in their homes.

Each individual you match with in AddnAide will have a unique, prequalified list of services needed, which may include:

• Homemaking (vacuuming, dusting, cleaning)
• Grocery shopping and/or meal preparation (cooking)
• Laundry
• Help with personal paperwork Personal care (bathing and dressing)
• Companion services (activities including reading, playing games, and providing time off for a family caregiver)

When you create your profile in AddnAide, you will indicate which services you are able to provide depending on your comfort level.

Are there any special requirements to be hired as a caregiver?

• You must be 18 or older.
• You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from appointments with your employers.
• You must complete the background check process (including fingerprinting) prior to matching with older adults who need care.
• Depending on the program your employer is enrolled in, you may need to complete training and registration required by the Ohio Department of Aging and/or Ohio Department of Medicaid. Support is available to help you through this process.
   

Can I provide care to more than one person in AddnAide?

Yes! Most programs in AddnAide allow you to match with as many older adults as you would like, based on your availability. AddnAide lets you work with your employer(s) to create a schedule that works for everyone and makes it easy to have more than one employer because all payroll and tax-related information is processed securely through a financial management services provider.

How much will I be paid?

You will be paid an hourly rate you and your employer agree upon within a range allowed by the program they are enrolled in. You will not be reimbursed for mileage.

You are subject to standard payroll deductions, including state and federal taxes, Social Security withholding and workers’ compensation. A financial management services provider manages all payroll, taxes and insurance requirements.

How will I get paid?

When you create a profile in AddnAide, you will be asked to provide information, including your date of birth and Social Security number, for payroll purposes. You will complete paperwork (such as an I-9, W-4, etc.) provided a financial management services provider. You will receive regular updates and communication to help you through this process.

Once you are hired and begin providing care for an older adult, you will clock in/out via the AddnAide app and your employer must verify your time at the end of each pay period. The financial management services provider processes your approved time and pays you on a set schedule. There are several ways to receive your pay. Annually, you will receive a standard W-2 (you are not considered a contracted employee).

How do I get started in AddnAide?

Getting started is easy. Simply download the AddnAide app from the Google Play store or the Apple App Store, and then follow the steps to register in the app. Or, go to addnaide.home52.org and create a profile! 

Who should I contact if I have questions about AddnAide?

Call us at (855) 460-7268 or send us a message at support.addnaide@home52.org.