Just moved to Florida to help with the care of my dad who can't live on his own anymore due to Parkinson's. Is there any funding I can receive? I'm not able to get another job because he needs me home for his everyday decisions. He can't cook or take care of himself any longer. He doesn't drive, so I take him to and from his appts. Any suggestions will help. Thank you.
Parkinson is quite complicated and now it is considered spectrum of diseases rather than single one.
And it is slowly progressing disease, which means you could be there for years if not decades.
My husband has it for maybe 10 years, does take care of himself, diagnosed in 2015 but GP suspected in 2012, and I believe he will be OK for another decade or longer unless dementia show up then it is beyond my capabilities to take care of him.
He will have to pay you out of his funds on a contract basis or be placed, as his condition will continue to deteriorate, and more care will be needed even if you are clinically trained to care for someone with this disease more help will be needed.
Personally, I think it is time to start exploring other options.
Good Luck
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-to-get-paid-for-being-a-caregiver-135476.htm
He needs to pay you. This is what he saved his money for (assuming he did save). You need to have a written contract for this so that he doesn't get delayed or disqualified for Medicaid, should he need it (and most likely he will).
This makes him your employer, and thus should be withholding taxes to fund your SS and Medicare for when your time comes to retire and giving you a W2 form for your taxes.
He will also need to hire other aids so that you're not working unreasonable amounts of time. You need to maintain a social life and protect your health and prevent burnout. Eventually you won't be able to move or turn him by yourself. You won't be able to get him into a vehicle to take him to appointments. He may develop Lewy Body dementia (which often accompanies PD) and can make people have hallucinations, be agitated and aggressive. That's what happened to my SFIL.
Or, you can help him transition to a facility where he will get all the care he needs, plus social opportunities. And you get to spend as much time with him as you please and also have a job and a life. I wish you clarity, wisdom and peace in your heart as you help him make important decisions.
Why is it you that is uprooting your life & making such changes?
I'm going to ask you to think about changing your approach to this problem.
Your dad is aging and has Parkinson's. He needs assistance. He doesn't necessarily need YOUR assistance.
Is your retirement fully funded? Do you WANT to relocate from Vermont to FL Florida? Did you want to give up your job there?
What kinds of assistance is DAD eligible for? Does he have the funds to pay for aides? If so, he should be paying YOU for the assistance you are providing.
Does he get Medicaid? Can he get aide hours through their funding? If he is a Veteran, is he eligible for Aid and Attendance.
I'm some states, Medicaid will pay a family member a small stipend to care for an elder. But it is no way a living wage.
Consider the perhaps dad should be the one to move closer to you so that you can continue to work.