Lydiastoy, it's nice that a long time friend is willing to help. I hope this friendship continues even if your Mother should have some falls. An elder person can be in a room filled with doctors/nurses and still manage to fall, as falls happen in an instant.
Curious about dinner since the time frame is 4pm to 8pm. Both would be wanting dinner. Will the friend be doing the cooking, thus not being in the same room as your Mom, or will there be a meal that can be heated up while Mom watches?
Thank you it’s just to keep her company & make sure she doesn’t fall. She’s a long time friend & we were in a bind to have someone with her. Thank you all for your help.
Would this friend need to be assisting your Mother in walking or transitioning from chair to chair, or hygiene? If your Mom also has cognitive issues your friend should be educated (by you or other sources) on how to engage those with cognitive and memory impairment so that it goes well. If your Mom is a fall risk, agencies usually are required to send out aids who have more specialized training (about NOT attempting to pick them up, or how to help them walk while using a stability belt, etc.)
Lydiastoy, it's whatever you and your friend agree upon. Check the various caregiving websites and see what caregivers are asking for in your area.
Be sure to draw up an Employment Contract that states what will be your friend's duties, the number of hours worked, what days off if any, her hourly wage. It is important to have said Contract if later down the road your Mother needs to apply for Medicaid [which is different from Medicare]. Otherwise, the Medicaid may think the money paid to your friend was "gifting".
$15-20 per hour, I would think. $15 if she's just being a companion, $20 or more if there's cooking, feeding, cleaning, showering or caregiving involved.
Curious about dinner since the time frame is 4pm to 8pm. Both would be wanting dinner. Will the friend be doing the cooking, thus not being in the same room as your Mom, or will there be a meal that can be heated up while Mom watches?
Be sure to draw up an Employment Contract that states what will be your friend's duties, the number of hours worked, what days off if any, her hourly wage. It is important to have said Contract if later down the road your Mother needs to apply for Medicaid [which is different from Medicare]. Otherwise, the Medicaid may think the money paid to your friend was "gifting".