Thoughts on pay for a live-in caregiver providing 7 nights a week and four 12 hour shifts a week? My mom sleeps through the night for 12 hours and has moderate dementia.
She will have every Fri-Sun days off and one full weekend off (including nights) a month.
I plan on using homepay payroll and providing a W2. I’ve consulted with the accountant who states a W2 employee costs 9% more than a 1099.
Does anyone else offer sick time and vacation time? If so, how much? Do you let them cash it in if they don’t use it?
Rent and utilities plan to be covered.
I think you should definitely offer vacation and sick pay. I would not let a caregiver that is working that many hours NOT take the vacation time off. I would even allow them to use sick days for breaks.
This type of schedule can burn the hardiest person to a nub in no time. I would consider finding someone to work 3 full days, around the clock every week, have this person for 4 full days and nobody lives in, they just stay there while on duty.
That is just my opinion because I think counting on one person for too much is not a wise move. Especially, a paid employee.
Since all elders slept well during the night cameras were installed to monitor. Alerts would notify of action in the homes. Of course if wandering began or someone did not feel well a caregiver was found to spent the night.
I would be hesitant to employee one live in caregiver.
That being said 132 hours a week is 3 times as many hours as most people work. And burn-out will come soon IF you can find someone to do it.
I suggest you look for a team, as someone else suggested. No one person can do what your expecting and if your mom has mild dementia it will get worse, usually pretty fast. So having 2 people, maybe even 3 would be best.
I think 1099 is the best and easiest way to do this. It gives scheduling flexibility and saves you tons of red tape and paperwork. And usually caregivers prefer this way. They can write off mileage when she needs to travel [around town] and scrubs and keeping vaccines up to date.
Most of the people on thi forum, including me, have been caregivers 24/7 and know how hard it is do spend that many hours without relief. Good luck. I know you’ll do what’s best for everyone.
Yes, It is more difficult to manage a team of caregivers; there is greater chance for a "failure" to occur related to shift changes which creates a good deal of anxiety. I was able to find a placement agency that added only 10% to the wages of the caregivers. Being in the Midwest, this meant a total hourly wage of about $24/hour. IF someone didn't show up, I usually - but not 100% - could get coverage through the agency. The problem with this, however, was that my sister might not have known the substitute and vice-versa...and the subs weren't trained "my way."
I think that when you opt for home care, you have to realize that, just as with kids, the buck ultimately stops with you. It was stressful at times, but I was willing to assume this role and have absolutely no regrets. My sister passed away just a year ago from seizures associated with her Alzheimers.
Wishing you peace of mind as you begin this journey.
I have one shift covered by an agency worker. She has been with us about 3 years.
I find it better to have more people working fewer hours. If you are short caregivers, they get burned out.
Almost all of my caregivers are working other jobs and some work two other jobs.
We also give a large Christmas/holiday bonus.
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