Anyone can become a caregiver if they have the time and energy. To be a professional caregiver being licensed, bonded and insured, you would need to take whatever courses are needed, then sign up with an Agency. Then your Dad would pay the Agency and in return the Agency would pay you, minus the required payroll taxes.
Or your Dad could pay you directly, but you would need to prepare an employment agreement as to hours and salary, and decide who will pay your payroll taxes. This agreement is important in case later down the road your Dad needs to apply for Medicaid.
Honestly, I think u may want to find a NH that accepts Medicaid. There r things that r hard enough taking care of a male spouse but a father? But then, I don't consider myself caregiver material. Mom will be the last person I care for unless its my husband.
Don't do it. It is not fair to your dad. And it's not fair to you. Get a job (or keep your job) and visit him at a nursing home while he's getting rehab.
it is an honorablle thing to care for an aging parent, contact department of aging in your state, they will lead you thur the process and in many cases pay you to care for your aging/disabled parent
Dear Pamper it is so noble of you to want to care for dad. As others have said please read many many threads here before you jump in. If you are thinking of 24/7 care please know you cannot do it alone it will burn you out faster than you might think. May I ask how old are you and how old is dad? It is a very hard life, you will be giving up everything including your freedom if you are doing this alone. Where is dad now and what do the doctors say about his prognosis? If dad has funds to pay you, you need a contract stating how much he will pay and what the payment is for. Then you will need to claim the income come tax time. There is no need to work through an agency they will charge dad a fortune and only pay you 1/2 or less. If dad ever needs to go on medicaid in future because he needs nursing home the contract will protect you from medicare considering the money gifts. Was dad a veteran by any chance? A bit more info can help us point you in the right direction. Right now start reading up on what you are about to do. Hope you write again with more info.
You are going to have to be the cook, the chauffeur, the launderer, the duster, the vacuumer, the bookkeeper, the pill dispenser, the diaperer, the bather, the snow shoveler (if your area is cold) and so much more! Be prepared for it before you make a realistic decision.
If you dad is a Veteran, you can contact the Veteran's Association for your state to apply for the Aid And Attendance program to get a pension to help you out...so before I explain how that works since I am my husband's full time helper...I need to know if dad is a Veteran.
Pamper, what can your dad do and/or not do? My mother had a massive hemorrhagic stroke, and though doctors were initially hopeful about her chances for recovery, she never recovered any physical skills at all. She couldn't sit up unassisted, roll over, use the bathroom, eat (puréed foods for a while, then that was lost and went to complete tube feeding) or do anything for herself. Speech was severely limited. There was truly no alternative but a nursing home. I hated it but there was no way possible to care for her at home. So a lot depends on what your dad can do and what is expected in terms of recovery, and even then, recovery isn't always what's predicted. Currently, I'm caregiving for my dad while he's living in his home alone, while watching and questioning everyday how much longer this can go on. I do all yard work, most house cleaning, take him grocery shopping and to dr appts, help with sorting pill case. Those are all very doable caregiving tasks. Many here do far more. You'll have to realistically determine what you can handle for what could be a very long haul.
Or your Dad could pay you directly, but you would need to prepare an employment agreement as to hours and salary, and decide who will pay your payroll taxes. This agreement is important in case later down the road your Dad needs to apply for Medicaid.
Currently, I'm caregiving for my dad while he's living in his home alone, while watching and questioning everyday how much longer this can go on. I do all yard work, most house cleaning, take him grocery shopping and to dr appts, help with sorting pill case. Those are all very doable caregiving tasks. Many here do far more. You'll have to realistically determine what you can handle for what could be a very long haul.