My mom can afford a companion, one day s week so I can get out to do errands. We will pay $15 an hour for 5 hours. Should I write a check or pay cash? I don't want a contract, or pay taxes and don't care about tax deduction. I just don't want a problem with this if our when mom may need to pay for Medicaid in the future.
Thanks for any info.
you actual referrals probably, but you can ask them for who they consider the top 10 home health aids in the area, and their phone numbers. Then you compare the two lists for the names that appear on both. Then make phone calls. This is how I did it and got a wonderful woman who was flexible, reasonably priced and had backup people she knew in case she couldn't make it. I did pay her cash, and considered her an independent contractor. Have no idea if she paid taxes because it was her concern. But I just kept a little book with dates and amounts and her hours worked, just in case it would be needed at any point. We used her for years and she was practically a member of our family by the time my mother passed away.
The agency charged almost $30/hour, with a 3 hour minimum, and yes they did handle all the taxes, ins, etc. They also screened their workers. But we found out the workers received only about $10-11/hour---meaning most of what we paid, when to the franchise owner. That's fine if it's what you want to do.
But, you can do your own background checking, and have a caregiver contract which specifies they are independent contractors (there is info on IRS about this).
Nowadays everyone must have umbrella liability coverage on their home/auto/business, so check with your insurance agent, that would cover any lawsuits if the caregiver claimed they were "injured".
As far as back-up caregivers.....if you cannot live without a caregiver, if you're THAT dependent, IMHO you probably should be in a facility, and even the agencies do NOT have backup people available on extremely short notice (like if your regular caregiver wakes up with a fever, the agency is NOT going to be able to find a replacement who can be at your home in 30 mins, that's just not humanly possible).
The bank (who is guardian of the money) told me the agency will be paid by them, but to make sure that i pay the other one with cash. She said that otherwise, paying by check, i would have to deduct taxes and the person would have to report the money. The lady doesn't want to go that route, but that is what the bank lady said.
Good luck, because i just started using someone about a month ago and had become used to not going anywhere, but i realize how important it is to be able to get away some, even if it's not doing anything special but shopping or even GETTING A PEDICURE (-: (It's Wonderful).
Also, the lady from the agency said that they don't even get paid HALF what the agency charges, but like pamstegman said, the agency has insurance and they screen their workers.
If you know a private companion who is recommended by friends who have used him or her, I would try them out. I would still write a check to have a record that you paid them. I started any new aide on a visit with my dad and then a short period of time 4 hours or so. I usually made the first visits on weekends where I was in and out of the home getting errands done and could observe how they worked with my father. If they liked seniors and would talk to them that was a plus, if they sat on the sofa, ignored my father and played on their cell phone--I did not have them back.
Again if you have a companion, for 1 time a week to do errands, the companion should be able to keep the elder safe, help as needed. I did not expect the substitute home health aide to bathe or do my dad's laundry etc. It was enough if they got him dressed, helped him with going to the bathroom and walked with him to make sure he was safe. I left his lunch on those days and set out his breakfast on the table before I left for work.
Good luck, but you need to engage help as often as you can to get relief. If you
burnout you are no help for your mother. This long care caregiving is all about pacing yourself and figuring out what is the best use of your time. What best helps you care for your mother and reduces the stress. Old age will win out in the end but you are making your mother's last years on the earth as comfortable as possible. It is no small thing you are doing for her. Feel proud.