I swear, if one more caregiver calls out an hour before their shift, I’m going to lose my mind. How do you guys deal with last-minute call-offs without constantly scrambling?
This is every home care agency’s biggest struggle. First, you need a solid on-call system—someone should be responsible for handling last-minute coverage 24/7. If that person is YOU right now, consider hiring a scheduling coordinator once you can afford it.
Also, build a float pool—a group of caregivers who don’t have set schedules but are willing to pick up shifts. Offer them incentives like a small extra hourly rate for being on standby.
That’s smart. Right now, I’m just texting everyone like crazy when someone cancels.
Oof, been there. Invest in scheduling software that allows you to send automated shift requests. Apps like ClearCare, AlayaCare, or CareSmartz360 let you blast out open shifts instead of manually texting everyone.
And don’t forget prevention—figure out WHY people are calling off. Are shifts too long? Are they overworked? Do you have certain caregivers who call out repeatedly? Track the patterns and address the root cause.