Follow
Share

I am the caretaker for my mother in home hospice. I live in her house, in a good neighborhood and a built in pool. She covers all expenses (bills food, personal) plus $500 cash per month. Am I asking too little?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
So what you're trying to say is that your mother is well off? And only paying you $500 a month to live in her home and to do all the caregiving for her, and she's unable to walk (based on your profile)? If that's what you're saying/asking, then yes, I think you should be paid more than $500 a month because the household bills don't count towards YOUR salary. You should be paid a fair wage for the caregiving duties you are performing, and $500 a month for live in caregiving duties is NOT fair wages. I would venture to guess more like $4000 a month is closer to fair wages, but others with more experience/knowledge than I will be answering that question in short order, I'm sure.

In some circumstances, people seem to think that 'giving you a roof over your head' and a few dollars spending money is more than adequate for 24/7 caregiving, which is laughable really, when you think about it. Were you to go out and get a job doing this, you would NOT be paid $500 a month which computes to $125 a week to work HOW many hours???? Come on!

According to Google, the average cost of a live in caregiver is $15K per month. If you were caregiving on an hourly basis and not living with your mother, your average pay would be $18.38 per hour in California in 2022. You do the math. Obviously, I was WAY off saying $4K a month was a good wage for you! Sorry about that :)

Good luck standing up for yourself and getting paid a fair wage for all you do for mom!
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
DinahBordum Jul 2022
Yes, she's well off, middle class, not rich. My personal expenses are only about $200, the rest is house related, groceries etc. My son his girlfriend, my sister her husband also live there rent free. (Mom's idea. ) My sister doesn't help much because she's dealing with cancer treatment. Her husband does the house and pool maintenance but doesn't help with mom. Mom gets a pension and makes too much for medicaid so I can't get paid by the state. I should at least get that much.
(0)
Report
See 4 more replies
Wow! All those people living rent free.

I would think there are more than enough people to pitch in so you do not have to do so much.

Unusual situation, what happens when she passes? Who will provide for everyone?

I hope that you are planning ahead, where will you work? How will you provide for yourself?

That bothers me more than you only be paid $500 a month.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report
lealonnie1 Jul 2022
Very good point. Gives me heartburn thinking about this! UGH
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
$500 a month? That would translate to 20 hours per month for low $25 per hour. $30 per hour is more acceptable.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

You didn’t mention your son and his gf helping out in any real measure.

If that is in fact the case, and assuming they are adults, consider your arrangement paid as your mom is supporting both the freeloading adult you gave birth to as well as his current sex partner.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

I can not take a question like this serious, from a user name that is a creative way of saying "dyin' of boredom".
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Cover999 Jul 2022
Hee hee
(2)
Report
See 2 more replies
I think a lot of people are taking your mom for granted.

Your son and GF should be paying rent, your sister and hubby should be paying rent (reduced to account for the work he's also doing), and you should be paid more depending on what you're actually doing in terms of caregiving.

You should have a proper agreement in place for all parties involved.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I don't think you're being taken advantage of. If your mother is receiving hospice care at home then at least you have some help.
Do you stand to inherit her house in the good neighborhood with the built-in pool?
If the answer is 'yes' then do what you have to do. If mom is also covering your personal expenses in addition to the $500 a month, that's a pretty sweet deal.
Instead of asking for more money for yourself, that money can be spent on additional aide hours to give you some respite time.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter