How do I get legally assigned as live-in caregiver for an elderly friend?

Cruegirl, what do you mean when you wrote "legally assigned"? As far as I know, anyone can become a caregiver to another person. I assume you are an "independent contractor" meaning you are self-employed. Will the elderly friend be paying you?

Or are you referring to Medicaid [which is different from Medicare], as some States have programs where a person can be paid to be someone's caregiver, but note the pay is very minimal. And there might be steps you need to take to qualify, such as taking caregiving courses, etc.