My mom can afford a companion, one day s week so I can get out to do errands. We will pay $15 an hour for 5 hours. Should I write a check or pay cash? I don't want a contract, or pay taxes and don't care about tax deduction. I just don't want a problem with this if our when mom may need to pay for Medicaid in the future.
Thanks for any info.
If you know a private companion who is recommended by friends who have used him or her, I would try them out. I would still write a check to have a record that you paid them. I started any new aide on a visit with my dad and then a short period of time 4 hours or so. I usually made the first visits on weekends where I was in and out of the home getting errands done and could observe how they worked with my father. If they liked seniors and would talk to them that was a plus, if they sat on the sofa, ignored my father and played on their cell phone--I did not have them back.
Again if you have a companion, for 1 time a week to do errands, the companion should be able to keep the elder safe, help as needed. I did not expect the substitute home health aide to bathe or do my dad's laundry etc. It was enough if they got him dressed, helped him with going to the bathroom and walked with him to make sure he was safe. I left his lunch on those days and set out his breakfast on the table before I left for work.
Good luck, but you need to engage help as often as you can to get relief. If you
burnout you are no help for your mother. This long care caregiving is all about pacing yourself and figuring out what is the best use of your time. What best helps you care for your mother and reduces the stress. Old age will win out in the end but you are making your mother's last years on the earth as comfortable as possible. It is no small thing you are doing for her. Feel proud.
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