How much should I pay a live-in caregiver?
Before you know what to salary to pay a live-in caregiver, you need too know what is required.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it possible for one person to be both caregiver and housekeeper for my loved one? 2. Is my mother able to sleep at night or does she need assistance. If a helper must get up more than once or twice, live-in help may not be the way to proceed. 3. Is my dear mother suffering from dementia? Does she need help walking or managing her medication? 4. If you want the live-in helper to move into your mother's house, how long will it take for her to leave her present home? Where will she go if it does not work out?
1. Is it possible for one person to be both caregiver and housekeeper for my loved one?
2. Is my mother able to sleep at night or does she need assistance. If a helper must get up more than once or twice, live-in help may not be the way to proceed.
3. Is my dear mother suffering from dementia? Does she need help walking or managing her medication?
4. If you want the live-in helper to move into your mother's house, how long will it take for her to leave her present home? Where will she go if it does not work out?
5. If the live-in helper should get sick while she is caring for your mother,who will take her place?
6. How many hours a day will my mother need help? How much time will be spent helping her with personal care? How much time will be spent cooking and serving meals? How much time will be spent shopping and doing laundry? Does your mother need companionship? How much time will the live-in be required to spend with your mother. How much time will she be required to be in the house?
7. Does your parent want help? Will she be hostile? How much time will be required to enter into your mother's world.
8. Also,consider the need for time off. Will she receive two days off per week? Who will replace her when she is off work?
There is great variation around the country in the price of care. But if you can make a decent job for the caregiver, your mother will benefit.
If the person works around 8 hours a day and has a day or two off, if she has her own space and is able to rest at night, and go out during the day for exercise, relaxation and shopping, your might be able to find some one for $2000 per month.
If not,you might have to payany where from $250 to $450 a day.
If your mother is easy to get along with and has enough space and flexibility, you may be able to find a graduate student or a person who is trying to change careers, or to do something artistic.Then you could create a team with one person who lives in and fixes breakfast and supper. Another person would be the housekeeper at a set rate per week and another would come for a couple of hours in the late morning to give personal care. This plan will take some coordination, but will also tend to last a long time. Before you place your ad, I would advise a consultation with a geriatric care manager to get an assessment for your mother's needs. The website www.caregmanger.org will tell you if there is one in your area.
I hope you will be able to find the person that you need for this important work.
Marketta,
Since you plan on hiring a private caregiver, I highly recommend reading an article I wrote "The importance of criminal background checks on who you hire." http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/11/importance-of-criminal-background.html
I own a Visiting Angels agency in Michigan. Before the overtime laws changed we provided live-in care. We found having one person on 4 days and off 3, and another caregiver on for 3 days with 4 off was best for the client, because it prevented burnout of the caregiver. Live-in can be very difficult for the caregiver and if they don't get time off they are less caring, compassionate, and can get much less patient with the client/ your mom.
It's best to do your homework to prevent a nightmare situation.
Although you're in a hurry, please read the article and spend the time and expense of thoroughly checking the background of any applicants you are considering before you put your mom in harms way.
Hope this helps and I wish the best to you and your mom!
Angil Tarach RN, GCM
Hiring care for your parents is often a stressful decision as you typically people want to hire the best possible person and make the best possible decision, but they have limited information. If you utilize a home care agency to hire care for your parents, I can tell you that in Minnesota the typical rate for a live-in caregiver is $275 - $290 per day. Typically two caregivers rotate on a schedule (for example: Caregiver Jane lives-in for three weeks then Caregiver Mary comes for a week, then Caregiver Jane is back for three weeks. Or maybe Jane is there Mon. - Fri. and Mary on the weekends.) If you hire privately, often times you save money, but I must caution you to be aware of some of the unexpected pitfalls of hiring privately. Firstly, taxes must be filed as employer/employee. Secondly, will you carry liability insurance in case the caregiver you hire has an accident or fall in your parent's home? Lawsuits over such situations have destroyed people. Home Care agencies are bonded and insured for such situations. Thirdly, what if the caregiver becomes ill or decides to quit - what is your back up plan for care for your parent? Home Care agencies generally have staff on-call for emergency situations and will have staff to replace an employee that leaves the company. It saves you the time of re-hiring or having to hurry to your parent's home if the caregiver becomes ill. Fourthly, will you run a background check on the person you hire? Home Care agencies are set up to run extensive background checks and employees become responsible to the employer and they are supervised. Therefore, problems such as theft and mistreatment tend to be greatly decreased when care is provided through a home care agency. Also, home care agencies tend to have on-going training for employees. I hope this helps you along your search! I can also tell you that at Homewatch Home Care, www.homewatchmn.com, we pay our caregivers a range of $12-$16/ hour or about $160 - $170 per day for live-in care. We charge our clients $27 per hour or $275 per day for live-in care. The cost of using an agency is hire (because of the agencies overhead costs) but keep in mind the burden that is taken off of your shoulders. Also, caregivers that work for home care agencies receive health benefits, 401K, etc. Happy, screened, and trained caregivers along with your peace of mind can result in better care and a better quality of life for you and your parents.
Caregivers are not maids. They are not second-class citizens. What would you like to be paid for taking care of someone else's loved one? When you are a live -in, most of the time you give up your social life for all intents and purposes. You can't go anywhere. You can't really do any of the things you used to. You should be paid for all of the stuff you give up. Minimum wage is an insult.
This is for the agency on the top: Home Watch Home Care Agency. I am a private caregiver and what you are doing is demeaning us as caregivers by telling these clients that you are better equipped to handle care. UGH~ You charge an arm and leg and WE are the ones who do all the WORK. If you want to advertise yourself; don't use this forum to do it. That is unwanted solicitation. The agencies who are in business for the behalf of Senior Care are only looking out for themselves. They charge so much and take most of the percentage and never really giving the credit to the caregiver. Ugh, Im so discusted with how you sell your business not because you care but because its business as usual to you. You cheat the caregiver and take all the money and pocket it to suit your needs....
Agencies SUCK~ To the client; I say this one thing; research and find out what you can about the caregiver and don't believe in agencies who care nothing about you' only your pocket~
boy, do i agree with that! agencies are bloodsuckers on caregivers (and on caregiver families) and they really aren't the guarantee you'd like to think. when i worked for so-called respectable agencies, i found they sent basically unfit people to work (over 350lb woman) or drug users (i found a crack pipe once on the floor of the caregiver bedroom). better do the hiring yourself. yes, a bit more trouble but in the end better. make sure they have a fingerprint card, clean driver's license (with insurance) and references local that you actually check up on. and please, families, dont talk about providing room and board as if that were a privilege you were giving. of COURSE you are. you want someone to live there 24 hours a day -- you HAVE to feed and house that person. we caregivers lease our entire life to you while we're working. treat us decently -- or, yes, we will leave. treat us well, pay us decently, we'll help you for years.
The comments about agencies are not truthful of all agencies for sure. Just as in any profession, there are good and bad. There are good private caregivers and bad, good agencies and bad. From a caregivers point of view, agencies are making tons of money, and nothing could be further from the truth. You don't understand the costs associated with providing services and jobs. Here are some of the facts;
AGENCIES.
pay for liability, bonding, and workmens compensation insurance.
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Are not spending any money on insurance to protect clients
AGENCIES
Pay Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare taxes,
Matching all employees SS and Medicare taxes
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS.
Don't typically pay any taxes and leave clients at a tax liability for not paying the caregivers taxes
AGENCIES Pay the costs to hire, orient and train staff, including continuuing education classes PRIVATE CAREGIVERS Do not pay for education or take any continuing education
AGENCIES
Pay for office staff to schedule, answer phones 24 hrs a day. a week, including holidays
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Do not tend to clients 24 hrs a day 7 days
provide supervision, billing, payroll, training, client evaluations.
AGENCIES
Pay for education, and continuing education of office staff,
aging and care conferences, training materials and Information concerning aging adults
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Do not spend money to stay up on the latest information regarding aging and the issues facing the elderly, leaving them unable to educate their clients and families
AGENCIES
Pay to market and advertise services so the elderly and their families so they are aware there are services to allow them to remain.
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Provides no education to the elderly regarding hiring in home care and safety In their homes & not just nursing homes
AGENCIES
Pay to provide jobs for thousands of caregivers across the nation, which allows us the opportunity to keep our clients serviced when the primary caregiver(s) are sick, want time off, or leave employment.
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Doesn't provide any employment or replace themselves for their clients.
AGENCIES
Pay to comply with State and Federal laws.
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Pay nothing and do nothing to comply with State or Federal laws regarding taxes, etc
AGENCIES
Pay for everything from brochures, to scheduling systems to pens, client folders and educational materials, phones, which all benefit our clients and staff
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
Do not have anything to provide the clients, and if they choose not to answer their phone, or it's shut off, clients have no recourse
AGENCIES PAY for lots of miscellaneous expenses such as any gifts, cards, Christmas or other staff parties or recognition.
The costs of providing care is what comes out of the difference of what is left over from what clients pay and the caregivers wages, taxes and insurance. For instance if the agency charges $20/hr and the caregiver gets paid $10/hr there are additional costs for that employee. The agency matches whatever Medicare and Social Security taxes that come out of the caregivers check so they can collect Medicare and Social Security in their retirement years. So now the wages are about $12./hr. Then we pay Workman's Compensation insurance to care for injured employees. The cost varies by state but is a percentage of wages, from 4% to over 10%. So now the wages are more. Then we pay for liability and bonding so our clients are protected from lawsuits by caregivers and are compensated if a caregiver damages anything in the clients home or steals. We pay for everything mentioned above and more from the $10/hr left over after the direct wages are paid.
Now to agencies that don't care and are out to make money. Yes there are some, but there are much more that truly care about the elderly. This is not a a get rich business, and it is a ton of work, and lots of stress to run a successful and caring agency. If most of us didn't truly care about the elderly we would have chosen something we'd make more money at that wasn't a 24/7 operation.
I own an agency and have been caring and advocation for the elderly since I was 17 years old, 34 years ago. I have worked as a nurses aide, mental health worker, and worked hard to become a registered nurse. I have done every single job in my agency, give my clients a lot of services and help I don't charge for, and I continually take continuing education to stay up on the latest medical advances, and issues in aging so I can do the best for our clients, staff, and agency.
We highly value great caregivers and have many who have been with us from 3-8 years because we do treat them very well. I have paid a caregivers electric bill when she was facing a shut off, driven caregivers to work, given gas cards, and employee of the month gifts, we have Christmas parties where every caregiver gets a gift. I have visited homes while caregivers were on duty with cakes, and ice cream sundaes, and help our caregivers be as successful as possible.
Until you understand everything that goes into running a caring and successful agency you shouldn't criticize. When you are willing to work as hard as I have to become a nurse, geriatric care manager, and business owner, who has spent my entire adult life truly caring and advocating for seniors you cannot complain about where you are in life. When care becomes first in your life you won't have anything to complain about because you know the difference you're making in the lives of older adults.
In the 9 years I've had my agency I know the complainers are not suited to work in my agency. We ONLY look for those with a true passion for helping the elderly. Caregivers who won't bring down our clients by their negativity. That's why we have so many wonderful caregivers that stay with us so long. We work together for a common mission. To keep as many clients as we can as independent as possible in their homes, so they aren't forced into a nursing home.
Think about the days you will be old. Will you want caregivers assisting you with negative and complaining attitudes, or those who truly care about you and want to help you in a kind, respectful and dignified manner. One day it will be you. Provide the care you would want to receive.
Angil, Thanks for setting the record straight on why it is worth paying more to receive quality care. Families certainly receive much better protection and professional oversight with a well run agency.
Ann Cason, Very thoughtful explanation of things Marketta needs to consider in hiring someone. Many individuals with Parkinson's have difficulty sleeping, some are wide-open all night long. That would be an unsuitable situation for a live-in caregiver; it would be a revolving door and open up the potential for neglect or mistreatment.
When we needed a caregiver for 90 yr old parents, we went to the Sr. Network Services in our area; I had found a person through Craig's List, but was worried about making sure they had no criminal record or bad history and didn't know how to check for it. Sr. Network Services had people that they had already screened, but said they would screen my individual for me - and helped us work out a contract, etc. The caregiver had been through some hard times and did need a place to live, my father in law loves him and he is there a lot of the time but has freedom to leave and work other jobs as well (we don't need 24 hr attention but want someone on the premises). He asked for $12.50 per hour and we pay that plus $20 toward a phone card every month, mileage, and take out taxes and social security. I got worker's comp on my in-laws' homeowner's policy for not much $. My mother in law is not happy with someone in the house (he is in a large garage conversion area and only comes in to shower and check on dad) but she is getting used to it. It has been two months and things are getting done around the house and yard, dad is going for walks and doing his PT for broken shoulder and it seems to be working out. I used caregivers through an agency for my mom for part-time and they were fabulous people, all of them. I could never afford to hire live-in through an agency, however, so this was the next best thing. hope it helps - check with your local senior services agency for help.
Providing care for a parent can be tough. I did the live in caregiver with my mom, I was able to be flexible with the work hours. She worked 9:00 - 4:00 (Mon - Fri), once I got home I took care of my mom. The fact that she was a live-in made it financially affordable for my situation. I couldn't afford more than $1,200 per month, so to make it work I provided her with living expenses and transportation. She took care of my mom, cooked 2 meals per day, breakfast and lunch...I prepared dinner, she bathed dressed, exercised her and kept my mom's area of the house clean along with her laundry. She was able to meet me at my mom's physician appointments, so I wouldn't have to come home and pick her up. I didn't give her a car, but she had full use of my second vehicle to use in the city, not to drive out of town. I was able to allow her to take it with her on weekends. We were blessed in our situation. All of this worked because with my mother's medical condition she still had some mobility. This practiced lasted 5 years. During that 5 year period of time, we went from me working from home and hiring someone part-time 3 days a week. My mom dividing her time between 3 of my sisters and me which left me responsible for her care for 3 months a year. The live-in caregiver was the best situation and the last situation we used. She is now in a nursing home because her medical condition changed drastically, but she is happy and she made the decision herself that it was time. Keep your loved one happy and involved in the decision making...
I know what you mean about working for agencies who are just out for the money. I have been with some not worried about appropriate care or concern for families or family caregivers. Thats why after 20+ years of seeing the bad side, I decided to start my agency, and base it on what I've learned over the years. I am willing to do what it takes to be one of the good guys. Good luck to the rest of you!
Hello everyone :) I'm a caregiver with over 10 years of professional experience and about 10 years of personal experience.
I have worked independently and for 4 different caregiver agencies. My experience has been good/bad with the caregiver agencies and good/bad working independently.
Working for an agency has its benefits, like being able to receive unemployment and workers compensation in case of an accident on the job. The last agency I worked for (about 3 years on and off) they paid me $150 a day for a live in position, 5 days a week, with double pay for legal holidays; They made sure I took my meal brakes, personal time breaks, 8 hours of sleep according to the labor laws; They made sure the client provided with a comfortable room, board and decent food for the caregivers; if I got sick they replaced me with another caregiver but not sick pay, no paid vacations time, no health or dental insurance (some agencies have medical/dental insurance with a high co-pay) It was hard to get a permanent case and because of the economy of the country they lower our salary to $140 saying they needed the money to pay taxes... (The longest case I had was 9 months;the client cancel because of financial reasons)They rotated the Caregivers and you have to call them constantly to get you a job! They don't have to many live in positions as they used to. They had some issues of bad communication with the clients; Clients would complain often about a new caregiver showing up every day/week without even being notified...
Independently, I have worked as an independent contractor and I had to pay my own taxes; One of my prior clients was going to help me with paying my taxes (the verbal agreement was I get paid $140 instead of $150 and they will declare as if I was getting paid only $15,000 a year (so I didn't have to pay that much income tax)It never took place and I had to pay all my taxes at the end of the year. It was not the client's fault (she had Alzheimer's) it was the son's secretary who managed her money.
Presently, I have been working independently for about 1 1/2 year for a retired doctor who has cancer and goes to a light treatment of chemotherapy every week plus other appointments with the cardiologist, other doctors visitations recommended by his hematology doctor and two units blood transfusions every 3 weeks... His condition was not disclosed to me until 3 months after I have been working there. They were very secretive about it and at the time of the interview they told me, he needed light assistance only with meal preparetion and housekeeping because he was strong and capable to dressed and showered on his own; That is why I went from a $150 to $120 rate. The first day of work I was asked by the doctor to dressed him, undressed him and showered him, plus a 30 minute massage! His daughter used to take him to the doctor's appointments and he was in care of his own medicine and decisions; He had been practicing medicine 6 month before I began working there!
Eventually, they came to me asking me if I could take over the appointments and then explained to me about his cancer...his other daughter said she didn't know this information has not been disclosed to me... In addition, his sister was staying there for a good amount of time(2 months) and she asked me to cook for her, clean her room and do her laundry. They had some much laundry to do, a big house to clean to their request... the job was very heavy and the Doctor would ask me to prepare to many food items for lunch and dinner as if it was a restaurant and asked to be assisted for to many little things he could do it himself since he is very capable. (he moves around very well) He had never had a caregiver before only housekeepers/maids. His sister comes 4 times a year at least, and stays for a month or two and she is a very unhappy person and give the caregivers a very hard time!
I asked for a race two times within the first year (the doctor got upset about this)because of the extra person and the demanding appointments... The daughters helped to make the father understand about this. He is very thrifty to provide food for the caregivers...the weekends caregiver have to bring their own food and he has not consideration for the caregivers long hours of work. I have overcome so much in this job through communication with the daughters. They are the ones who have helped the father to understand better the care giver's job and the need for breaks and personal time.
I now have a better situation because we have a weekend caregiver; the sister was there but she wouldn't help with laundry, dishes or housekeeping; I would come on Monday to wash the dishes from the weekend and clean up all the mess they left around plus a pile of laundry, specially towels they over used on the weekend
I get paid now $135 a day cash. They declare this money in their taxes but no as a salary paid to a caregiver. I have aged 5 years in the last year and half! The doctor is very stubborn, high maintenance,very intelligent but his decision making is not as clear anymore because of his age! The daughters have their own lives and don't want to deal with the decision making and other problems about their dad. He has improved so much in his health since I'm there. I cooked delicious healthy meals, take good care of him and give them good advice about how things could work better for him; I'm very patient, caring with him and highly reliable. I could have a long appointment or two to three a day... and it could be 3pm ,he wouldn't buy lunch for me or him...he wants me to go and prepare lunch at home...which is not a sandwich what he eats..No paid vacation, no benefits, and no double pay on legal holidays. The doctor lives in a very good area here in LA and has a multimillion dollar home.
I had other independent cases; My best job was for a retired Vice President of a Bank of America. He had Alzheimer's. I worked there for 3 years until he passed away. $200 a day plus bonuses. Great family! and he was an adorable men!
Also, I worked for this nice lady in Alhambra (who passed away) as an overnight companion, 15 hours for $150 a day cash, Monday through Friday. I had my own nice room to sleep my eight hours; she was 91 years old and assisted with personal care , some light cooking and housekeeping but mainly companionship. Her day caregiver of 5 year was paid $20 an hour and her weekend caregiver $150 a day cash
I had other Lady who had Alzheimer's, his daughter used to give me a whole week off on Christmas time with pay as well Thanksgiving day and the day after with pay, and if for some reason they went out of town and didn't need me they will pay me anyway! $150 a day but I had to report my taxes. On my opinion, $2,000 a month for an experience caregiver is little; $3,000 a month is a decent pay for someone who has at least 5 years of experience.
Why I'm staying in my present job? because I need the money and I haven't been able to find another good paid job...most live in care giving jobs now in Los Angeles are paying from $90 a day for the inexperienced, $100 with some experience and $110 to $120 with experience... because of the present economy of the country! You could find sometimes better paid jobs through referral agencies but this jobs also go quickly; once in a while you find a good paying job for $150, $200 through craigslist or others websites but again they go quickly.
To the clients and families be up front about the case from the very beginning. Don't hide anything to pay less. Be honest, have integrity and be nice to the caregivers; have a good and clear communication with the caregivers, appreciate them, don't take advantage...we work very hard! As live in caregivers sometimes we make sacrifices and don't even have a life anymore specially when the client is housebound or don't want to get out but just for appointments; The families need not to forget about the client, go and visit them at least once a week,take them out for launch and assist the caregivers if you could. I truly hope this information is helpful to the clients and caregivers. Much love and blessings
Great advice in this forum. Much to consider, and remember sit down with the caregiver and openly discuss and negotiate duties, time off and pay. Also for all the families out there a "thank you" goes a long way. Little perks too. For a caregiver same for you too.
