Should a live-in caregiver be compensated other than with free room, board and meals?

It is not legal for you to work with no time off, no breaks.
You could report this if the situation does not change.
I do hope that Social Security is taken out and I also hope that they have an insurance policy if you become injured while working.

You could check with an agency to see what type of pay you would get if you were to work for them as a live in. Keep in mind what you would be paid by an agency is far less than what the family would be charged. So you could negotiate a middle of the road figure. But also tell them that you need relief.

Definitely renegotiate, and if they won't pay you the going rate, you shouldn't have any problems finding simular work elsewhere. Check out the corkboards at Senior Centers, the unemployment office or call your local area's AGENCY ON AGING. I'll bet they could easily put you in touch with a family looking for your type of skills, even a live n position, if thats what you are interested in! Good luck and don't back down, as they are taking full advantage of you! Heck, take your question here that you posted, and all of the responses in with you. Everyone ere are long term caregivers and know your Value! Good luck!

I got a letter from my Father's skilled nursing facility raising his cost to $192 per day....my dear you should be making at least $100 per day for that level of care!
Renegotiate!

BTW, typical room and board where I live would only be worth $1000 or so dollars. If you are working all the time, they are certainly getting a bargain. Problem is that people like this often feel that they are doing you a favor giving a place to stay. Pfft!

Are you attached to this family in some way. All I can say is shame on them for using you in this way. The going wage for a CNA is somewhere around $10 per hour plus benefits (SS and pension, if applicable). There is a 40-hr work week. Anything above this is overtime and either gets paid overtime or comp time. Your pay would be your hourly wage times the hours worked minus the cost of your room and board. They should be submitting your SS and withholding taxes.

If your clients are unwilling to do this, I would look for another job and another home, then hand in my notice. What are you going to live off of when they don't need you anymore? Since you don't get paid, you won't get severance pay, either.

Discuss with whomever hired you that you enjoy being with the client and being close by in case she needs help in the middle of the night. But now you are realizing you are not saving any money to put in for your own retirement because there is no income coming in.

My gosh, even live-in nannies for children get paid an income. The national average gross weekly salary for full-time live-in nannies is $652.

Definitely should be compensated. Room and board only is from the dark ages. Do you have a private bath? Days off are essential you should have two days per week off together so that you can get away for overnight. These people are taking c,
Lear advantage of you.

Wow--it sounds as if you're being thought of an indentured servant rather than as an employee. You absolutely should be getting compensation beyond room and board, and you need to have regular days off, etc. What you're describing is outrageous.

I'm just curious how you got into the situation, and if you have some reason for being unwilling to ask for further---and deserved--compensation. I assume that you don't work for an agency--otherwise you would/should be getting what you're entitled to. You sound skilled, knowledgeable, and competent. Are you afraid of repercussions of some kind?

You should absolutely be paid for your services other than just free room and board. You're employer is getting away with murder and I suspect she knows this. Like jeannegibbs said, after 4 months it's going to be difficult to speak up and insist on compensation but you're entitled to payment.

Absolutely
Certain states have requirements for min pay and max hours worked
I know families that pay $170 a day plus room and board

Oh my goodness! You absolutely MUST have days off, and of course you should be compensated. Your employer should withhold taxes, pay into your SS fund, etc. This is a real job. It should be treated as such. Since you have been doing this already for 4 months, it may come as a shock to your employer that you now want to treat this as real employment. Be polite but firm.