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Sanhsn52 Asked December 2022

Can a caregiver also handle all of someone's finances and taxes?

I worked for a gentleman who had a lady that worked as caregiver (mostly covering for girls or if one quit, she'd either cover those shifts or delegate it to whomever) but she ALSO controlled his finances AND also does all his taxes. And, I have also WITNESSED on three separate occasions, where he has told her she could "go ahead and write herself out a check" and each time it was over $500 (this was separate to the 'paycheck') she received also. She also once told us we all had to go in to work to help him move into his new apartment BUT that we were not to be paid for it, and were required to do so out of the kindness of our hearts... that was also the first time I watched him have her write herself a check for $500 for doing the same/less work than ALL the rest of us girls (about 4 of us) for a shift we were all told we had to do pro bono.

Geaton777 Dec 2022
Is he signing the checks or is she? Who is your actual employer? Him or her? Do you get 1099s or W2s at the end of the year? Or are you paid in cash?

As an employer, I would never "tell" my people they had to do something "pro bono". That's why it's important to know who you are actually working for -- this way you know what labor laws protect you (or not if you are getting paid in cash).

JoAnn29 Dec 2022
You were under no obligation as his aides to move this man. Within working hours maybe because you are already being paid. But when ur off the clock and called back in, u get paid. If over 40 hrs its time and half. You could have also refused since moving him is not part of your job.
Geaton777 Dec 2022
Yes, and what if someone got injured moving him? Are they covered by Worker's Comp? Any insurance?

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Geaton777 Dec 2022
If you are worried about financial abuse, and you suspect this man may be losing his mental capacity to make decisions in his own best interests, then I would maybe try to find out if he has any other family members (adult child) to contact this person to see if there is an assigned PoA for this man.

You could report the situation to APS but if he's competent, and you don't have any other evidence other than she wrote "a" check for $500 once - then I don't think that will be investigated.

Also, is he signing the checks or is she? Who is your actual employer? Him or her?

Catskie62 Dec 2022
A few more details about this strange situation would be helpful.

againx100 Dec 2022
Sounds like a very strange situation. If the man is competent, I guess he can give money to whoever he wants. If he ever applies for medicaid, I guess it's possible these checks might come into question. Is this lady a private caregiver?

Seems inappropriate that she is controlling his finances - but I'm not 100% sure what you mean by that. Is she not allowing him access to his money? Is she just paying his bills for him with his money because he can't do it? She may be doing it right and out of the goodness of her heart. Or not.

Taxes - does she know what she's doing? Maybe yes, maybe no.

How did this woman make you and the others move him for free?? She couldn't literally physically make anyone do anything. Did she threaten you with bodily harm? Or that you would not get anymore work from her? Do you actually work for HER or for the man?

Looks like time to look for a new job and stay away from her.

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