Dad moved in with me a couple months ago and things have just calmed down after the passing of his wife to the point that I was able to meet with an elder law attorney yesterday. He doesn't qualify (due to assets) for Medicaid/Veterans Benefits, but he may require it some day, if he ever gets to a point that I'm not longer able to care for him.
Dad has mid-stage dementia and is very uncomfortable around people he doesn't know; he even becomes agitated when new people come to the home that he doesn't know. Because of this, I'm going to have to resign to only family members filling in for me for respite care when my husband and I need time away. One brother lives an hour away and the other is 2.5 hrs. Because of the distance they have to travel, I told the attorney that I'd like the care agreements to pay at a rate of $25/hr. She said this was too high and said she'd like to see it more around $14-16/hr. The Genworth website reflects an hourly rate of $27/hr, so I thought I was safe at $25/hr, but she says that's an agency's rate and includes their overhead. We settled at $20/hr.
I'd like to get some input as to what some of you pay family members or other non-agency affiliated caregivers. I live in Wisconsin and I really don't think $20/hr is outrageous. And if I'm limited to family members (and can't pay mileage rates), I should at least be able to pay the "going rate".
Thoughts?
If you can't pay mileage, according to atty, you could buy gift cards that amount to mileage rate or even a tank of gas (I would think).
Did atty discuss with you setting up all the paperwork since they will be considered employee? As in taking taxes out and reporting the income?
I'm 24/7 caregiver. I don't get paid. It's my parent. Wouldn't charge.
I finally decided on $20/hour. I paid a caregiving agency $25/hour for incompetent help (they lasted two shifts), so I figured I was worth at least $20.
If a caregiver is incompetent, ask for a refund. The last thing a care agency wants is TOO publicity / marketing. Word of mouth marketing is the best way for everyone in business. If you have solid evidence of incompetency, you may get a refund.
Gena / Touch Matters
My parents insisted on paying me for my care of them but I would never have taken a dime.
I think the attorney’s concern may have been that you shouldn’t charge more than the going market rate to avoid future accusations of impropriety. That local rate you mention is likely paid to individuals with extra educational and experience qualifications.
You may think being his daughter increases your qualifications for serving as his caretaker, but ironically, it may make it more challenging.
Depends where you live and if you decide to hire independent caregivers or through an agency. Whatever you do, be sure to:
1) get live scans (finger printing / criminal record check)
2) references - and check them
3) experience - give them possible scenarios and ask how they would handle the situation
4) Be clear on if foreign born if your dad could / can understand their English. Communication / understanding is important as it could add another layer of frustration for your dad.
5) He likely WILL NOT want anyone unfamiliar person in the house. This is to be expected (and figure out ahead of time how to manage). Bring a person in 'as an old friend' and stay with them for the first 1-2-3 sessions of a shorter timeframe (if you can, to save $).
5a) You must do what is best for him (and you). This doesn't mean he will like it. He may / will act out or certainly let his feelings be known. Be patient and be there when caregiver talks to him, including yourself in the conversation. Tell the caregiver to smile (!) and if possible, ease into holding his hand (if you feel touch will be a good connector - a good way to communicate. But do not rush the touching. If you do incorporate touch, do it with a hand massage (get cream), combing his hair, etc. Ease yourself out of the conversation or room in very short segments so he can get used to someone else there, without you in the immediate area.
Gena / Touch Matters
It isn't what you pay per hour, it is what is included in the hourly rate.
Whatever you decide to pay if ind contractor, you can start on a trial basis for a lower hourly and increase after 2 weeks or so. Or tell them you provide bonuses for 'good work' (I used to do this when hiring care givers who were really good and worked very hard, and were committed to my friend/elder).
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORs
* You need to do all your own screening, i.e.
- Live Scan (finger printing / criminal check)
- Vaccine card; ongoing Covid testing
- get copy of Driver's license and insurance
- insure they are in country legally
- References (and from families, not only the person cared for)
- You need back up care givers if / for : 1) one doesn't work out; 2) they need to take off due to other clients / emergencies / child or self ill; or just do not show up or call and say they can't make it.
- You may be liable for worker's compensation if the person gets hurt on your premises (not sure).
- Lastly, hourly fees depend on where you live and what duties are required.
- Are you taking out taxes ? Draw up an agreement.
HIRE THROUGH AGENCY
* They do all the testing and background checks (ask to see copies if possible. Do ask person / caregiver for copy of vaccine records/covid testing anyway.
* They cover worker's compensation.
* Agencies are insured. They have protections you will not have.
DO:
1) Interview and have a list of questions prepared
2) Ask everyone the same questions to get a sense of comparison
3) Ask how they work with somone resistant to change / new people
4) Have them meet your dad even if briefly. You do not need to tell him what they are there for; you could say they are helping you with house chores or something.
5) Consider getting cameras to observe what is going on.
With all this said, I am a care manager/provider and an independent contractor for the last 8-9 years. My background includes counseling trainings, (I was going to become a psychotherapist and didn't); certified massage therapist, event/ coordinating up to 10,000 people, writing abilities (I write assessments for the families to track changes); studied on-line webinars for two years with Teepa Snow, one of the country's leading experts on Dementia. I am more like a social worker who manages all kinds of needs, including supervising caregivers/ contractors, workers, working with attorneys, medical personnel, real estate agents.
It works out well for me on this side. I was vetted/screened at the main elder care facility where I work 'to be able to work with their residents' although once vetted, I work / contract directly with the residents. The facility required work and personal references, copy of car insurance, Live Scan.
Gena / Touch Matters
The price was from 13.00/hr up to 43.00/hr depending on what you needed and if you use a service company or do the leg work yourself. A service company usually has a minimum of hours billed along with a contract. I chose to do the leg work.
I paid 25.00/hr.. Honestly, If I had to do it again I'd start at 19.00/hr. leaving a big gap for raises. My hired help had a lot of down time. She really had it good here. BUT she also went thru the torturous battle of giving my mom a shower which I went thru for soooo long before I decided that I wasn't gonna do that anymore.
Being a family member, perhaps raises aren't a thing? So 25.00/hr isn't so bad. And most importantly, being your siblings, your father's kids, you pay them exactly what you get paid per hour.