I have heard this model can be beneficial for both parties – finding someone to live in the spare bedroom of your parent’s home to keep them company and make sure your parent is safe. The person lives in the home for free or for small pay in exchange for a place to live.
We are on a tight budget and my mother has a spare bedroom/bathroom that I can use with this type of arrangement. Has anyone had experience with this, positive or negative? Every situation is different, but I was thinking I would arrange it to where the person would agree to be at the house between the hours of 9p-9a or 10p-8a, with their days left to do whatever they want/need to do. Would need to figure out details like responsibilities, if any, while they reside in the home, vacation, etc. The resident would be in the home primarily if mom needed something in the middle of the night, if she fell in the middle of the night, etc.
Any thoughts?
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Are you suggesting a rental situation? Why? Need income? If so, you are setting yourself up for some problems. There are license d caregivers who will reside in your home overnight. You pay them. They don't pay you.
If you're worried about her needing help at night, that makes it even more a caregiving situation. If she needs help at night, then the persons has their sleep interrupted. A stranger with a job outside your home can't realistically sign up for that. A relative might do it for a while, but it's very hard.
Other advice as good: references and a clear description (do it in writing) of roles, responsibilities, and hours are needed.
If the same-age companion has no home or resources of her own, then you might end up being responsible for two elders instead of one.