(I work or am there 24/7). I am a live-in for a 90 yr old woman w/ slight dementia, on oxygen, walker or wheel chair bound. I cook, clean, care for her: bathing, hairwashing,etc. ; grocery shop, everything. Get paid $300 a week and have a HOUSE only account of $200. I get 4/5 hrs off one day a week when the daughter comes to visit most weeks but NOT every week. If I need a day off to go to a dr. out of town I have to pay someone out of MY pay! I agreed at hiring but DID NOT know what I was getting into besides working 48 hr shifts. Home health was coming 3 x a week until I walked in the door and they let them go, even though she was eligible to get care. I love the family and my little lady but...... if I had something to back up my NEED for at least a weekend off or anything, I wouldn't have to burn out in about 6 months if that long.
You get a 4-5 break......once a week???????????????????????????? I can't believe I'm saying this but having NO job is better than this job. Having no job is better than allowing yourself to be treated this way. And if you need to take off to go to a Dr.s appointment or something YOU have pay your replacements wage? H**l no! There is not one single company, not one single mom-and-pop business that expects their employee's to pay for a sub for the day. I've never even heard of such a thing.
Get outraged and then get out!
Get a job with an agency, you will receive some benefits and much better pay.