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i have moved in with my dad to keep him home as long as possible but I can’t work anymore he has Alzheimer’s.

We often see folks here who give up homes, jobs, towns and move to be with family as caregivers. Often in middle age they end up homeless after a home's value goes to Medicaid clawback, and they end with no job, no job history, and so behind in any savings that they cannot catch up for a lifetime.
Do not do that.
Get your father into care; there is governmental help for him if it is required. And get your own job, your own place to live and think about your own education and family. We have seen a lot in years on this forum. That's my advice to you and I wish you the best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Claysgirl, welcome to the forum. I realize you want to do whatever you can to help your Dad. Please note that 40% of family caregivers die leaving behind the love one they were caring. Those are not good odds. Then what would your Dad do?


I remember reading long time ago in Forbes that when one quits work, on average they lose $350,000 in funds over the years. This not only includes one's salary, but also the cost for health care insurance which is very expensive.... lose company contribution to one's 401(k)... for life insurance... sick day pay/vacation pay, etc.


One way to get paid is for your Dad to pay you from his own savings. Would he be able to pay you a salary plus pay for your health care insurance (if you are not already on Medicare)?


Curious, depending on how long you stay to help your Dad, will you have enough in funds for your own retirement? I have noticed on the forum, those who have taken care of a love one find it difficult to find employment as they are too physically and emotionally exhausted from the caregiving.
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Reply to freqflyer
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You should NEVER give up your job to care for anyone as you'll never be able to make what you were making, even if you can get paid from either Medicaid as they will pay for a few hours of care per week if your dad happens to be on it, or the VA who will offer some hours of pay if dad is a veteran, but neither is very much.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is a 24/7 job and is not for the faint of heart.
I know your intentions are good, but perhaps you've bitten off way more than you chew.
It might be better that you start looking into placing him in a memory care facility, where he will receive the 24/7 care he now requires and you can get back to just being his loving daughter and advocate and not his overwhelmed caregiver. Just a thought.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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