Do most families with a live-in aide cover the cost of Wi-Fi for the aide’s use, or should the aide simply use their own cell phone plan for internet access?

Thank you!

Hello
I was a live in and no internet. So I got my own line and paid for it myself.
Your expenses are too much to cover that also.

That was exactly my point ACS2009, about unlimited data.
If you did decide they could access your WIFI however, you can make a "guest only" network that they access with a different password. Much like when you go to hotels etc. Be sure your WIFI is a secured network so that when accessed there is a padlock. If there isn't then anyone within the network's distance can access and use it. You can be hacked into as well. IF you don't understand or know how this is done, then get someone who can do it for you. You can't be too careful these days.

My advice before you hire someone is to tell them that there is no Wi-fi in the house. Most phone plans these days provide unlimited data. If the caregiver insists on having data, there are a few options. They can possibly write it off on their taxes as an expense or you can adjust the rate of pay to cover the additional costs.

Little bear, that is a good point.
I agree, if Mom doesn't need internet, then I wouldn't supply it. There are other ways for the aide to obtain internet. I, also agree, that if your cable is high you may want to see what Mom actually needs in the way of TV. My Mom got talked into an On Demand box that she didn't even understand how to use when digital first came in. Here in SNew Jersey we have comcast and they have an economical pkg that only cost $40. Would be great if it was just me, but doesn't include the sports channels my husband likes.

I have wi-fi and our caregivers come from an agency. I do not make my wi-fi available to anyone because I use my system for personal banking and other secure actions such as medical information, Medicare, and pension. It's not a good idea to provide access to others in this situation. It's never come up since all the caregivers come with their own phone and internet connections.

Try to stop thinking of it as a benefit for the caregiver. It is a tool for research, to find support, and meet others in similar situations. I would guarantee that the caregiver will be using the WiFi for caregiving related info. Course it will probably be used for other things as well.

My mom loves youtube videos especially of babies, human and animals. Also,videos from America's Got Talent type shows. They are short, several minutes, and quite the variety. Internet is a great learning and redirection resource. Puzzles, games, you name it!

As my husband tells me, cell phones companies are so competitive now, that their data plans include lots of data. So WIFI is hardly needed unless you are streaming movies and videos. But I would not install it just for an aide. We ditched cable TV and our phone last month and now just have internet for roughly $75/mon. We love not having the high cable TV bills.

Does your Internet bill cover the telephone, computer, and TV?

If the TV part of the bill is high, check see what packages/movie channels are options and get rid of those. One can have basic cable that have the local channels, and there is enough choices for one to watch. PBS always has something interesting.

Please keep a landline telephone [like on the kitchen wall]. Everyone knows how to use that type of telephone but not everyone knows how to answer all the different new hand devices. Cellphones tend to die out in storms depending on where the closest cell tower is located. With a landline, rarely does that become unusable in a storm.

Be careful about cancelling any Internet plans, as some have 2 year contracts, etc. and a hefty cancellation fee.

Thanks so much for your input!

I am not in that situation but if I were, here is how I would handle it.

If there is Wi-Fi in the house, let the aids use it. If there is not Wi-Fi for the benefit of Mom, I would not include it just for the aid. Someone covering for vacation should be able to survive on their data plan for a week or so.