How much does a live-in caregiver cost?
Live-in caregivers cost from $700 to $3000 a week. There are many factors such as what part of the country you live in, what the living accommodations are and what hours the person is required to be on duty. The ability to speak the elder's language is also a factor.
When the elder is up most of the night, you may have to pay someone to come in on an hourly basis. Many women who provide night time care, count on being able to sleep enough on the job, so that they can also hold down a day time job. Often, this creates more suffering in the home. The elder suffers and the caregiver suffers even more.
Have you taken this elderly woman to the doctor to find out what is causing the frequesnt urination at night. Often there is medication for this condition.
In my experience, young people work well for overnight care. Try to hire two people in their 20's or 30's who take turns on the night shift. Have them work from 10 p.m. to 6 or 8 a.m. Then find a person who needs part time work for a few hours in the day. Or find some one who will live in and fix bereakfast and dinner in exchange for room and board and stipend.
You could hire a professional care manager to supervise and support the helpers. Or you could do it yourself.
Think about what it is you need to continue taking care. Try to find enough care to form a team, a circle of care, people who will share. Try to create a feeling of sisterhood or brotherhood with the helpers.Then you can all work together for the benefit of all.
Call home care agencies to research charges and services. Call professional geriatric care mangers. Make an appointment with the doctor, Call the senior center to ask about local day care programs. Ask friends how to find helpers.
VERY similar sit'n in Westchester Co, NY and the agency is charging $210 per diem. Bro-in-Law was fed up being there, so jumped on first offer. Probably available for much less, esp considering the youth options in the first answer.
I would have to agree with Ann. But I would be careful about just hiring any youth to care for an aging parent during the night.
Even when using an in-care agency it is important to know what screening they do for their caregivers. Each one has their own set of background checks and research.
If you have any more specific questions, I hope that you will visit our blog and ask one of our experts. We are even giving away Starbucks cards for the best questions. Check it out here.
I have been a Nurse for 40 years, and am presently Director of Resident Care for Loyalton of Ravenna, in Ohio. All of your Adult Care Issues, Independent, Assisted, Nursing, Day Care, Respite, Hospice, etc. can be answered by contacting any Emeritus Senior Living Community. We are in 34 States. Or go to www.emeritus.com for helpful information.
In Good Health,
Janet Girecky, LPN,LVN/RCD
The home care I hired is an hourly rate, the more hours, the cheaper the rate. In our situation, 24/7 is about $16 per hour. This is for companionship, medication reminders, light housekeeping, shopping, laundry, taking them to doctors appts, helping with toileting (especially at night when they need to go but are still in a sleep haze and present a fall risk.) They are not medically trained and cannot administer meds. At home nursing care in our area runs about $35 - $45 per hour. There are also adult day care centers that can suppliment the cost, one nearest to Mom and Dad charges $35 - $65 per day depending on level of attention needed and whether or not you need van transport. Keep in mind that socialization is important to their emotional well-being. Not only would day-care be cheaper, but it can be better, emotionally, for your loved one.
unfortunatly , the children are so cheap , they don't want to spend some money for the parents , in most cases , it's parents money and they deserve to have the best care and the best care giver .
My mom is mentally on top of her game, but physically she is impaired. She needs help with getting out of bed in the morning, needs someone to clean her and change her depends, she needs help getting dressed, combing her hair, showering, fixing her meals, she has only the use of her right arm. She needs someone to fix her meals twice a day, doing her grocery shopping, her light house keeping, her laundry, etc. How much should I pay someone who does not have a certificate, and lives-in to take care of my mom?
as a live-in caregiver, i sell myself too short. when hiring a live-in, please remember that living in is a perk for safety and should NOT be considered part of the compensation. Food is tricky, as most people are not on the same diet as the elder; therefore, causing the caregiver to spend their money on food.
when you consider the cost of sending one to a facility, a live-in should be compensated competitively. remember that this person will have personal expenses and taxes to pay.
i tend to take too little, as i understand the fixed income and lack of financial support from children.
