My sisters want to make a caregiver agreement with me. I have both parents living with me and provide 24/7 care. My sisters are finally seeing how much time and effort it takes to have our parents with me. They have mentioned an amount, per week which seems a little high for me. Any suggestions as to the amount per parent? I don't want to take advantage. Are there any guidelines?
So, if you are assisting with financial management, medical management, care management, etc. ...in other words services that provide for the health, maintenance, and welfare of your care receiver, you are essentially performing geriatric care management and booking services.
Geriatric Care Managers typically bill between $95 and $125 per hour. Bookkeeping services about $10 to $20 per hour. I generally recommend that my clients not submit contracts where the compensation will be more than $25 per hour. The less the better. Doing the arithmetic with life expectancy, hours per week, and rate of pay should help you get to the number you need.
Rules with respect to Personal Care or Service Contracts or Agreements vary state by state. In Florida, which is a bit more liberal than other states, you must make sure the pay you are receiving is "reasonable" in light of what other professionals would charge for similar services. The amount of time spent per week must be reasonable and a contemporaneous care log indicating when and what type of services are performed must be maintained.
Additionally, the term of the contract cannot be greater than the care receiver's life expectancy as dictated by SS life expectancy tables.
Lastly, many states permit the transfer of lump sums to the caregiver in prospective satisfaction of the contract. If this is done, some states will require money to be returned to the estate of the care receiver in the event they pre-decease the term of the contract.
Whatever you do, make sure you document your transactions thoroughly.
By the way, is your father a veteran? He may be eligible to receive a non-service connected pension of up to $1,950 per month (for the couple) to help pay you for their care.
I am impressed that your family is recognizing your work and
are willing to pay for your work. Do not feel bad, look at this
as business contract, check with local nursing homes,
assisted living that offer the kind of care you are giving and
look at your loss of income if you were working and the
extra expense you have in your household.I heard about a
program in Hawaii where families came care for an elderly
person ...like a foster parent for children.. and get paid...
this may be a model to investigate. I have had my Dad and
Mother in my home for 14 years ( mother only for 2) and I
have one sister who pays nothing and it takes most of his
income to pay his bills. I have left my job ( early retirement)
because this is a full time job and I was to exhausted to do
both. Please allow your sibblings to do their share...mine
won't and It does affect the quality of my life and my husband.
I do not regret choosing to be the caretaker, it is my choice..
but it should be shared by other sibblings with either time or
money.
Wishing you the best ..it is the hardest job you will ever love.