Where can I find a foreign live-in caregiver? Anyone with real experience in this area?

willpower, regarding your grand-mother who has advanced dementia, please note that she may be coming to a point where she would need a village to take care of her. You alone cannot work 168 hours per week. Neither can one paid caregiver. You would need at least 2 caregivers, working 8-hour days, off on the weekends.

My Dad, who was a fall risk, had around the clock caregivers. In my area, that was costing him $20,000 per month. When Dad moved to a memory care facility, it was costing him $7k per month, quite a savings.

If grandmother cannot budget for that, as others have written, check on Medicaid [which is different than Medicare]. Medicaid is State run and funded by the taxpayers.

Medicaid would probably suggest moving grand-mother to a nursing home where she would get the around the clock care, and Medicaid would help with the payments. That is less expensive for the State then sending caregivers to the house.

Maybe those who are suggesting Medicaid might go into more detail about what it is, what it does, and how to apply. I don't think OP knows enough about it to understand terms like spending down assets, etc.

I don't have any experience with Medicaid, so I really can't speak to it.

I would be very careful about finding a caregiver from another country. Are you hoping for a live in, that may currently be homeless?

Do you know a situation like this is very likely illegal? You may find an illegal but the department of labor may end up tracking you down and filing charges for unfair labor practices.

Check into Medicaid as barb suggested.

I would not go this root. Live-ins cannot be worked 24/7. 40 hr week just like everyone else. Minimum wage at least. Room and board is a perk. You will need another caregiver when the live-in is off the clock. IRS does not consider caregivers self-employed. As said, you will be responsible for deductions which includes matching SS deduction. You may want to check your Labor board concerning laws when it comes to caregivers.

A caregiver is not cheap. Who is paying for it? If grandma can't afford it, talk to Medicaid about LTC. Most States assets need to be spent down to 2k. Her SS and any pension will have an income cap. (There is a way to get around this) By getting her placed, you don't have the headache of paying caregivers and wondering if they are doing their job or even showing up. In LTC all your grandmothers needs will be met. She will get a small amt of money taken from her SS and placed in a Personal Needs Acct. This money can be used for her personal needs. Like a haircut. Clothes, shoes, toiletries she likes, etc.

Have you applied for Long Term Care Medicaid?

If "foreign" is code for "illegal" I'd seriously reconsider that plan. Illegals are surrounded by advocates and free legal help that's seriously connected to your politicians and mainstream media. The last thing you want is a writeup in your paper about how this person was in slavery. All the papers are connected, and this will go out nationally.

Do not allow people without papers to work in this environment. You know what the minimum wage is. Add 20 percent to it, and you should find any number of caregivers with whatever language or cultural needs are required.

Why are you seeking "foreign" live in?
Is there a language barrier or is it because a foreign caregiver may be less expensive?
A living wage must be paid. Rent, room and board is not exchange for caregiving services. And Taxes, Social Security need to be taken out and you should also provide insurance for the caregiver. (if they become injured there is the potential for a law suit.) And one person can not work 24/7/365 so you would need more than 1 person.
You are in the Chicago area check out Elderwerks.org it is a 501(c)(3) Non profit that has a remarkable Senior Resource Directory and you can see it on line. There are many services listed and maybe one of them sill help. If you wish to call 855-462-0100, they are located in Palatine.
And depending on where you are in the Chicago area at the end of January there is a Conference at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake that might help with some resources. The People In Need Forum is held the last Saturday in January each year and the information is great.
Have you looked into application for Medicaid?
Is she eligible for Hospice? If so you would get help and equipment and you could discuss with the Hospice Social Worker about options. Sometimes Hospice can get a Skilled Nursing facility placement faster than you could just by the fact that being on Hospice the facility would generally assume that it would not be a "long term" resident.

Since this is an international forum, you need to be more specific than foreign.

What nnationality are you seeking?