I have been working as a caregiver for an agency for over 4 years. I work between 80 and 100 hours a week.
I am a good caregiver and all of my clients have loved me. I treat my clients like they are family. The problem is that I don't get paid very well. No overtime or benefits. I just asked for a raise and was denied because the agency isn't making enough money right now, even though they make more per hour off my clients than I do.
I would really like to work independently, but I do not know how to go about finding private caregiving jobs.
I do wonder, in this day without newspapers, what folks are doing.
I don't know how something like care.com works, and if they take folks looking for work. I do know that there certainly are folks getting hooked up on nextdoor apps because I am seeing that. Both those looking for some help and those looking for some work. I see them there.
Other than that, I wonder about stopping by some care facilities in your area and asking. Also about working for an agency for a bit and there connecting with folks and talking with them.
If you are taking any certification classes, such as CPR, I would think there are perhaps ways there to connect.
I sure wish you luck. Hope you will update us.
I'm a good Caregiver because I really do care about my clients. I'm honest and dependable. However this is such a hard job and the pay is pretty bad.
Thank you for the tips.
Nextdoor.com
Personal references
FYI this is not an employment forum. We are mostly caregivers to elderly parents or relatives.
So, you work overtime and get no OT pay? Or benefits? At a legitimate agency?? That doesn't sound kosher. Please check your labor laws in your home state.
Also, please know that in most states the IRS does not consider private caregivers as contractors. Therefore you will be an employee of any client. This means they pay you above the board, withhold for Medicare and SS, and issue a W2 at the end of the year. You should always always have a written contract no matter what. They should have adjusted liability insurance and so should you.
You can find some pretty sad stories on this forum of people who went into caregiving unprepared and niave. They endured problems that were 100% avoidable.
Also, NEVER move in and become a live-in caregiver for any amount of money because it means you are on call 24/7 and won't be taking sick days, vacation or getting paid OT. Just like you are in your current job.
Wishing you success in finding a better employment situation.