It was kind of you trying to do this noble deed, but please consider where it leaves you. Outside of the person you’re caring for paying you, likely a small sum that won’t make up for your lost income and won’t provide for earning social security increases when you retire, there’s no program that will provide for you. There are many stories here of people with good intentions being ruined financially. I’m a believer that no one can adequately care for another without caring for yourself. And there are social systems in place for people with illnesses that have “nowhere to go”
No, there is no way to get paid a decent wage to care for this woman. With Dementia, she no longer can even sign a contract to pay you.
There were other options where you could have gotten this woman help. You could have contacted Adult Protection Services and reported a vulnerable Senior. They would have investigated the situation and either found services for her or taken over her care placing her in a Longterm care facility. You have taken on a responsibility that jeopardizes your future. If you don't have POA, you have made things even harder because you cannot be involved in her care.
Hopefully its not too late to call APS and tell them you took off more than you can chew. That you cannot care for this woman as you thought you could.
Probably not. And if there is, then it will likely not be enough compensation. In most cases like this we hear of on Forum the person who has given up job and home to move in with an elder and care for them ends up homeless, jobless and desperate. We often recommend they go to a shelter, and try to get a job without any job history, and move from shelter bed to room in someone's home to small rental studio. As you can imagine, a slow and painful slog back to real life. Wish you luck. More details might give us more clues how to help, what to suggest. If this person is receiving medicaid you should speak with their caseworker about the possibilities of compensation for care.
There were other options where you could have gotten this woman help. You could have contacted Adult Protection Services and reported a vulnerable Senior. They would have investigated the situation and either found services for her or taken over her care placing her in a Longterm care facility. You have taken on a responsibility that jeopardizes your future. If you don't have POA, you have made things even harder because you cannot be involved in her care.
Hopefully its not too late to call APS and tell them you took off more than you can chew. That you cannot care for this woman as you thought you could.
Wish you luck. More details might give us more clues how to help, what to suggest. If this person is receiving medicaid you should speak with their caseworker about the possibilities of compensation for care.