What should a live-in Caregiver be paid?

Question

What should a live-in Caregiver be paid?

Follow

Share

I will be living with an older friend as a Caregiver soon. We haven't discussed pay yet. What is a live-in Caregiver paid? I will be moving to another city, drive her to Dr. appointments, to the Seniors Center, go to the grocery store. I will do most all of the driving. She is 86 years young, we have a lot in common.

Home Care Paying for Care

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

58 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

1 2

I was a live-in care giver in florida for 5 days a week for between $600. and $800. I had 2 days off, so I could go wherever I wanted, while still retaining my room at the 'patients' home. That was because there was also a guest room for the family to come in. All of my 'ladies' were ambulatory, and I did not have to be with them every minute, as long as I wasn't gone for long amounts of time. A good rule is that you are on call between 8am and 4pm at the house, and if you left to go on your own after that time, you would also be on call if something went wrong while you were gone.
You would be expected to help out with Daily activities of running a household and helping being a companion to the person you are living with. I always was treated wonderfully. I never did work for anyone who was 'Bossy'. There's just not enough money for that! I hope this helps! Like stated above, the downside is that usually it's not a long 'stay'. If people are paying for a caregiver, they are not in the best of health. At least I usually had worked out 'compensation' pay, for if they died or went into a nursing home. Usual would be a three month pay/ living arrangement if something happened. Usually word of mouth would get you another job before the 3 months were up. I hope this helps

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

If you are giving up your life, home, and job, I hope it's worth it. You're a good friend. A caregiver gets $13 to $25 an hour depending, frankly, on what the person willing to hire them is willing to pay. Generally, you should have "on" time and "off" time. I'm concerned if you don't have a home to go back to. There is a very good chance that at some point, you will need respite, or want to go on vacation. What will happen then? I know a woman who is 105. What happens if your friend lives another 20 years? I know you're friends, but you need to sit down with an attorney to discuss all these contingencies and write up a care contract. It may be a different story if you need to do this so that you have a home, and it becomes a home share situation or if the home is left to you after your friend passes. There's a lot to consider and you need a better understanding before you make a move. What if your friend (God forbid) has a stroke and becomes totally debilitated? If she needs to give up her house to go into a nursing home on Medicaid, and you have nowhere to go and no job? sounds risky, so you need to prepare. You'll really need a care contract drawn up by an attorney. Good luck to you and your dear friend.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Caregiver - I haven't read this entire thread as it started a few years ago - I skipped to the end for your recent post. I don't know yours and your moms situation but I am hoping you've thought this all through. Since coming to this site I think one of the things that alarms me the most is what you will be doing. I read post after post from well intentioned caregivers who give up their jobs and homes to care for an elderly relative. They do so with no contract in place for little to no pay - often with a promise they will receive the house in the end or some such thing. Then when the end does come the promise is never fulfilled and years of difficult, grinding work goes without any compensation beyond free room and board. These well meaning individuals find themselves homeless, broke and unemployable after a few years out of the job market. Please be sure you are looking out for yourself - for when the time comes and your role of caregiver will be over.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I might add that my mother has no debts and is financially secure so instead of paying me I'd rather her money pay for her needs

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Well for me I will be moving into my mothers house to take care of her in the near future BUT I've made it clear I am not taking any pay for it because to me taking care of an elderly parent is something we should do out of love...I am, however, arranging a lawyer to make sure everything is set in place properly

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

In 2013 I interviewed a live in caregiver for my mother. Her salary requirement was $3,000 per month plus health insurance and of course on the books, so social security expense. It would have been about $4,000 per month with 1 or 2 days off per week. This is in the Los Angeles county area. I thought it was expensive. And didn't hire this experienced caregiver. I was the caregiver on my own for awhile but meanwhile a failed hip surgery, extended recovery and second hip surgery and caregiver burnout meant I had to hire hourly. Initially that was $16 per hour but in 2014 went up to $18 per hour. For 24/7 care that runs about $3,000 per week. 24/7 care was only for a few weeks after each surgery and then steadily decreased. We got down to about 3 days a week but the caregivers had 10 to 12 hour minimums so that was about $600 per week.

Two weeks ago, we temporarily ran out of cash and have had no help at all. Mom is becoming more self-sufficient. But also I can't get her to do things like get up in the morning, bathe daily and eat properly. The CNA's are very skilled at getting mom to cooperate and complete daily routines.

To calculate for yourself, think about how many hours per day/week you will be spending doing things for your care recipient and consider what is the market value for these tasks in your area. You don't need to charge for sleeping for example. And room and board can be considered compensation if you will be living and eating for free if you want. Depends how you look at it. Staying over could be considered an inconvenience and therefore an additional charge, plus how often you have to get up during the night to assist with falls and/or mobility issues.

It's a good idea to discuss in advance so that if the level of caregiving increases, you will be able to get increased compensation. For example, now you may spend 10 hours per week helping, but if health changes you could find yourself suddenly putting in a 50 hour week.

I read,mob this site!, that the average cost of caregiver is $21 per hour. That might be for agency. I would have to pay more through an agency. In 2012 agencies were charging $22 per hour of which $10 to $12 would go to CNA. I found a very resourceful CNA with network of friends and paid $16 initially, all to the CNA. But they can cancel and leave you in the lurch. An agency will find a replacement for sick/cancel days.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

2 yrs exp. in home caregiver three days a week. what should i get paid

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

thank you everyone for your input it has helped me to make the right decision and ask for more money Again thank you so much

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I have a friend who cares for his 89 year old father. He quit his job quite a few years ago to do this. He is paid $100.00 per month. His duties include: cooking, cleaning, yard work, shopping, doctor appointments and anything else he wants done. My friend has given up his life for his father even if another family member takes the father out he demands that he stay home to guard the home. Is there a legal amount that the father needs to pay for these services?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Okay, enough already. I think I get the picture

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

$300 per month? You've got to be kidding.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I was paying my live-in caregiver $1,600/ mo plus $54 or $108 for 2 days off - about $500/wk. She also had full room and board and was very good with my mom who had Alzheimer's. This is considered low in comparison to what agencies charge. I was about to start taking out taxes but my mother passed away before we could do this.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

In my opinion someone being provided with a room to do living in care either 24/7 or 24/5 deserves far more than $300 for their services. Even the stated amount of $1,250 sounds too low. Remember that in asking them to use their car to take your mother to the doctor, shopping or where ever will likely be looked up by them as an out of their pocket business related expense that your salary offer needs to take into account and they may be able to take a tax deduction on their mailedge for the work related use of their car. Depending on how much driving around your mother needs to have, a good chunk of the $300 you are currently offering will be eaten up each month.

Also, something needs to be included in the contract about break time because they will need regulary break time in order refuel.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Hi, my mother is 83 and getting to the point she needs someone to live with her and take of her. She is able to walk and around but is starting to suffer from memory loss. Mom. We offer a room for this person and will give $300 for there services. Must have car to take my Mom for Dr. appt., shopping or what ever since she no longer drives. Does this seem like a fair price?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I am looking for a person with care givers experience for my 83 yr old mother. She can still walk but her biggest problem is her memory loss. We offer room and board and also $300.00 a month for her services. We need some one that will stay at home with my Mom and take her shopping and Dr. apt's. My mother no longer drives. Do you feel this is a fair price?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I also have fully paid medical and dental.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I also do lve in care, but only 5 days per week. I take home 4600.00 per mnth. I am paid thru medicade.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I am a full time live in care giver I work everyday with no days off the only time i have free is when i have an appointment to go to or family gathering. I get 8 hours off to sleep the rest of the time i am cleaning cooking and running around for him. He has become more demanding of my time and I am finding i am burning out. Now the hard part of the deal I am paid 1250.00 a month plus room for my services I want to ask for more money but just can't seem to get myself to doing it. For the care I give what should I be asking for any advice from anyone. By the way I have worked for him for 2 years with one pay raise of 250.00 a month which puts me at the 1250.00 a month

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

margiejan09,

sorry for your situation, but not being mentioned in the will means non money and no house. I don't think there is anything that you can do legally.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I have been helping my friend off and on for 20 yrs. he is a devout alcoholic and falls downs all the time drinks till he cannot stand or talk anything but jibberish soils his pants all the time is violent and abusive at first he was in his late 60's as timewent on he got more and more home bound. his family only comes by 2-3 x's a yr. I cook clean do laundry help keep track of bills buy groceries and all of his other errands. I have save him from getting his mail rerouted to another state by thieves trying to get big checks I have bounced his house as a bar bouncer would.for last three yrs. totally live in care 24/7 now he has passed at 85 yrs old. I was never paid but small amounts here and there when he was sober(almost never) I was always told I would get the house and his dog and some cash to take care of things till I could afford to. now I was not mentioned in the will and his nephew wants me out asap with no compensation. what can I legally do?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I have a little over twenty years I care for the elders I do live in once in a blue moon for the pass fifteen years what should I be getting paid

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I work as a caregiver 730pm to 730am and they want to pay me $50. I know this is really low, but they told me the majority of the time I will be sleeping? What is a good rate?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Depending on your location, check with your local (in my case, it's the county office, Dept of Aging) and see if PACE is offered in your area. This is a Medicare (maybe Medicaid) design whereby live-in caretakers - whether they be friends or relatives - can receive pay for caring for an elderly person.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

my boyfriend has multiple sclerosis and is on ssi, i take care of him, i have for the last two years. I am his girlfriend but i also draw social security/ disability. Can i still take care of him and bet paid cash, through medicare?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I have been a live in caregiver for 3 years for the same person. The family pays for my food which I make for the person and their special diet. They pay for my gas at .55 cents per mile. I do all shopping, errands clothes buying, doctors appt,., dental, etc.. I help dress and take to swim exercise class weekly. They are on a walker and needs assistance, dementia increasing. I am their companion. I do some yard work and keep yard watered( not mowing the lawn ) and clean house with help every 6 weeks. A family member comes once a weekend evening to stay while I go out. I do have 2 days off once a month and a weeks pay for a vacation once a year. I treat the person as I would my child or parent and all that's included in that. So I receive a room and bath to myself plus an area as an office. My question is $700 a month enough? I do take a day off most weeks, on my own and check in to make sure everything is alright.

Helpful Answer (4)

Report

I was told $6-8000/mo thru an Agency for live in care when I first checked for my mom. This sounds like a lot, but out of that they get insurance, benefits, SS taxes, etc. Privately, you could negotiate less, but you should still factor in respite care during vacations, sick leave, wage taxes, healthcare, insurance.

Room and board is included so they should have private quarters and you should consider what responsibilities they will have, just caregiving or household chores, meal prep, cleaning, errands, laundry, etc.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I mint to ask do I have to be on my sisters lease agreement to be a live in care giver for our mother?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Do I have to be on the lease agreement to be a live in care giver for my mother in law living with my sister?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I think the standard amount for live-in- care with a few hours off each day is about $4,000 mo including room and board. That would be 7 days a week. If the person wants weekends off then they can pay respite out of their salary.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

Do not need a "caregiver per se" more a companion...everything furnished
Including car, access to many community amenities, private suite.
Mainly driving to appointments and social actives..someone who is over
65 in good health required . Would $1500.00 per month (cash) attract
A retired lady on social security to be this type of companiov

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

1 2

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

What should a live-in Caregiver be paid?

58 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions