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manningeyes Asked April 2014

Where do I go for laws about non-family live-in caregivers hours and pay?

(I work or am there 24/7). I am a live-in for a 90 yr old woman w/ slight dementia, on oxygen, walker or wheel chair bound. I cook, clean, care for her: bathing, hairwashing,etc. ; grocery shop, everything. Get paid $300 a week and have a HOUSE only account of $200. I get 4/5 hrs off one day a week when the daughter comes to visit most weeks but NOT every week. If I need a day off to go to a dr. out of town I have to pay someone out of MY pay! I agreed at hiring but DID NOT know what I was getting into besides working 48 hr shifts. Home health was coming 3 x a week until I walked in the door and they let them go, even though she was eligible to get care. I love the family and my little lady but...... if I had something to back up my NEED for at least a weekend off or anything, I wouldn't have to burn out in about 6 months if that long.

daughterdeb Apr 2014
Call an agency that hires non family live in caregivers during your 5 hrs off. Live in's usually get paid $9 an hr for 10 hrs a day with 2 days off depending on your skills. And report this daughter to an agency for the elderly. Apparently she stopped caretakers to save money, but for whose benefit? I am sure you wouldn't of agreed to this set up without the home health aides.

manningeyes Apr 2014
And today the daughter explained I should be grateful because I get an average of 32 hours a month off.

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Eyerishlass Apr 2014
You are being horribly taken advantage of. I hope you quit this job ASAP.

You get a 4-5 break......once a week???????????????????????????? I can't believe I'm saying this but having NO job is better than this job. Having no job is better than allowing yourself to be treated this way. And if you need to take off to go to a Dr.s appointment or something YOU have pay your replacements wage? H**l no! There is not one single company, not one single mom-and-pop business that expects their employee's to pay for a sub for the day. I've never even heard of such a thing.

Get outraged and then get out!

gladimhere Apr 2014
Manning it is absolutely unbelieveable that people are taken advantage of this way. It not only happens with bringing in outside care, but family members do this to each other as well.

Get a job with an agency, you will receive some benefits and much better pay.

bookluvr Apr 2014
Elder law attorney. Your local government's Labor department. If you're going to follow the law, then remember that you also have to pay for taxes. In some states, they have laws that the employer must also provide insurance and the caregiver must have 1 hour lunch, and vacation time, etc.... Most likely your Labor department would have all the statistics required.

pamstegma Apr 2014
Get a real job and get out. $300 a week works out to far less than minimum wage.

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