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I think this is poor decision making on your part, and there's a good change it will not only end in disaster but will lose you a friend you should be supporting by REMAINING a friend. A caregiver is something entirely other.

It would take a long book to tell you what you need to be a caregiver.
If you do not know what you would need to be a caregiver then it is something you should not endeavor to do when it cannot be paid for adequately and is something that should be done NOT by one person, but by a team of caregivers working over several shifts.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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If you decide to do this , make it clear , that at any time if you feel this is not working for you anymore that there needs to be an alternative plan for your friend’s care .

You need an off ramp , for if / when this gets too difficult .
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Reply to waytomisery
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How old are you and friend? What type of care does she need? Are you going to get paid? Caregiving is hard and you need stamina to do it. You need a support system. Its not a job u do 24/7. You need timevto yourself.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Best way to become a caregiver is to just start providing care.
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Reply to ZippyZee
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Ask her when you can start and what she's going to pay you?
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Reply to lealonnie1
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If OP is out there, could youbplease answer our questions. We could better help u with kore information.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Schefflerjamie, welcome to the forum. Please fill out your Profile page which will give us a better understand of your friend's need.


In the meantime, here are some really good articles regarding becoming a caregiver: www.agingcare.com/topics/29/caregiving
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Reply to freqflyer
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Kind of like jumping out of a airplane, then wondering if you remembered to put on a parachute.
Your friend should feel lucky. If they qualify for Medicaid there is program that allows paid caregivers, friends or family members. Medicaid is run through each State so a quality elder care attorney should be used for requirements.
Like others had said, put together a documented off ramp as most people don't understand what it takes to be a caregiver in certain situations that are normally fluid.
If you are unaware how to get started, getting out will far more difficult.
Thank you for caring for your friend.
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Reply to BluSky1
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Does the friend want you to be her caregiver?
It should be initiated by her.
Ask what things she needs help with and do those. That is caregiving.
If she needs help with things you don't know how to do, such as personal cares, then you should seek training to become competent.

Most states have some form of a Home and Community Based Services program, HCBS, which, if your friend qualifies for a home caregiver, she should have a case manager she can talk to about having you as her caregiver.
That case manager will let her know what the steps are for that to happen.

If she doesn't qualify for HCBS, then as ZippyZee says, just start providing care.
With your friends permission, of course.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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Although your intentions are very sweet, you must ask yourself if you're qualified to do this. Can you provide a safe environment, free from falls, from leaving appliances on and wandering? Can you take your friend to all medical appointments and have yourself declared as the health care advisor ? Is there family that has been appointed to be POA? Is your friend coherent at this time to fill out the needed information/ papers to give you permission? The legalities are enough to deal with, along with having to deal with your own business. Are you going to do the friends financial accounts? Without knowing your friends condition it's hard to find the right information for you. The top of the list is always safety. Please keep researching this, it's been said that many caregivers die before the loved ones. I think many here are not happy with the position that they took on. We felt obligated or appointed to something we weren't able to process at the time. We learned with time and this forum. This is a huge change to your lifestyle!
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Reply to JuliaH
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