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If I'm living with a family member and taking care of them and driving them to Dr., shopping, anywhere they need to go, then how can I get paid for that?

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You can formulate a caregiver contract then have a discussion with her about the details of your arrangement.

It’s wise to have any work details, including payment, sorted out before beginning a caregiver relationship with her.
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Get connected with a local social worker to find out if there are any programs to pay for family caregivers.
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I have been an unpaid caregiver for elderly parents for several years. I understand all the reason we go into this and they are noble reasons. But, looking at it from this end, I'd say don't repeat that mistake.

Some states have funds for paying relatives giving care, not all. If your parents can't afford to pay you, maybe they need to move to some kind of independent/assisted living. This may be doable via Medicaid.

However, after all these years, I'd advise you to get help soon before this swallows up your whole life. And it will. They don't gain abilities as they age, they lose them and when the ability is gone, someone else has to fill it in. For your sanity, don't let it be you.

This sounds harsh but I speak from experience. There are loving ways to achieve these things without hurting your parent but you need to protect your life too.
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Jltjlt42: Many of us don't receive any pay. My mother lived on a poverty wage for most of her life. I lived with and cared for her pro bono out of state. If your sister has the funds, perhaps you can come to a formal arrangement whereby you can get paid.
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Daphne131 Jan 2023
Then this question is not applicable to your situation and your response does not help the posters situation.
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Talk to the family member you care for. Work out an agreed amount for number of hours you're working. Some family may believe if you get free housing and food, it works out in exchange for what you do and, overall, it might. If your person doesn't need a lot of hands on care, then you aren't spending a lot of time 'working' in the home. You might want to ask for gas money if you use your own car.

Think of it like this: You don't work outside the home and needed a place to stay. Your best friend says come to my house for free/no bills. Wouldn't you feel obliged to do chores around the house to 'earn your keep'. Otherwise you would be taking advantage of someone's kindness. So if an arrangement like this is what you're in now, stay and earn your keep if you want. If original situation has changed and you're doing more work than what your half of the bills would be (base it on minimum wage or so), then ask to be paid or talk to others in the family about finding a replacement for you because you will be moving out by XX date.

If you're talking about some agency/governmental funds to pay you, it will depend on what your person qualifies for. If he/she is on Medicaid, her income is low and there may be some in-home programs she could apply for. Gives just a few hours a week. And you could talk to your local Medicaid office to see if they have any programs that would pay family member to do the chores. First look to see what she gets: Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, etc. Then look at those programs for in-home care. (Medicare doesn't have much in the way of in-home, except physical therapy, some dr visits, etc)
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I moved to my parents’ home for about 16 months, serving as their primary caregiver as well as taking care of their meals, cleaning, home/financial management, doctors appointments, errands, etc. This was supplemented by in-home care (3 hours/day) for bathing and dressing. Since I had to relinquish some of my work as a freelance writer/editor during this time, my parents and siblings agreed to give me $1,000/month (paid from my parents’ account). Although it was nominal, the pay was enough of an acknowledgment that the care I was giving was valuable ~ and that my own life/home was significantly disrupted during this time.

I’m grateful that this situation allowed me to be with my parents during their final months and help guide them through their dying process.
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Jltjlt42, welcome to the forum. Please note the vast majority of family caregivers do not get paid..... unless, as others here had mentioned, your sister can pay you from her own savings.

Is your sister on Medicaid [which is different from Medicare]? If yes, check with your State Medicaid office to see if they have any programs where a family caregiver can be paid, this varies from State to State. Don't be surprised if the pay is limited.

Hope you can find something that helps you out financially.
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Your sister would pay you just as she would pay any other caregiver.
Make sure there is a written agreement.
Make sure that taxes are paid.
There may be programs that would pay you as well. Contact local Senior Services and see what programs they have available. You could also talk to the local Agency on Aging and see if she would qualify for any programs.
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From your profile: "I moved to AR. from FL to care for my sister, she had a stroke and can't use her left side.so she needs help so she doesn't go into a nursing home. I'd like to get paid if I can."

Can your sister pay you?
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