Lately, it's becoming common for us to take over care packages from people who have had private carers or "personal assistants" before us. Some people have been lucky to find a good, reliable,  competent carer... but sadly, that isn't the case most of the time. Hiring a personal assistant/ private carer comes with risks such as: 

• Outdated training, missing mandatory training, or inadequate/old-fashioned practice
• They can withhold details of any safeguards or issues raised against them in the past
• They can cherry-pick references they want you to see, and conceal the ones they don't want you to see
• Can cause your loved one to go without care, when needing a holiday or sickness, or arrange an unsuitable and unfamiliar stand-in.
• Have inadequate insurance for the tasks carried out (should anything go wrong)
• Could lack confidentiality
• You have no manager to address if you have any concerns, concerns which may strain your "relationship" with the carer
• No management to ensure they are performing adequately and up to standard 
• Boundaries become blurred as a friendship is formed rather than a professional friendly relationship
• They are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission (something we're advocating to change so people can have private care safely)
• Tax implications - if you become their employer - are you aware of your legal responsibilities regarding pension enrollment, P60's, HMRC notices, national insurance, holiday entitlement, and minimum wage laws?
• No clear policies, procedures, standards
• Could advise you incorrectly with opinions, as opposed to facts
• Preventing a needed hospital admission so they do not have a personal financial impact with the loss of work
• Insurance restrictions on what they can do - such as FULL medication management and monitoring
• If your loved one's needs develop, they may not have the resources to adapt (such as hoisting, PEG feeds, catheter care) 
• Their decisions and actions are lead with self-intention