In the Buffalo NY area, companions are $12-15 per hour. Housekeepers and cooks are $20/hr. Chauffeurs are $30/hr. A companion is just that, they sit with them, but do not do any personal care or household work or give medications or help dress or bathe.
My 92-year-old father-in-law lives in his own place. He has three women working shifts 7 days per week, 2 per day, from 7 am to 7pm. He pays them $12 per hour. One who works from 7 am to 2:30 pm drives him around on errands and doctor's appointments and cooks light meals.
Another one does heavier cooking and light housecleaning. The third also drives him, does light cooking, and light housecleaning.
KS-Between $12-$15/hr depending on the needs. This is no personal care or meds. Contact Sr. Services in Wichita if you want an individual vs a company that may cost much more and a lot less flexible.
It's $10.00 per hour here in ATL. The gentle lady that I have folds clothes, makes my bed, cleans up the left over pots and pans in the sink, puts away all items in the cupboards, lifts boxes, but does not vacuum nor dust. She is a blessing..
I worked for two agencies as a home care assistant/companion. The companies charged anywhere from 22.00-25.00 an hour with the companion receiving about 9.00 an hour. I would call your local Office of Aging (look in the gov't directory of the phone book) and call for some help. Our local office offsets the cost based on the person's income. Be very careful if you hire someone on your own. They should be vetted for crimes and insured. Try to go through a reputable agency for help in finding someone. I have heard stories of people being taken advantage of, robbed and neglected.
I agree completely with wendala. Unless you have a trusted friend who is willing to sit with your Mom, try to go with an agency. After about a year of trial and much error I finally found a nice lady down the hall who is home a lot and will come on the spur of the moment. But she is a companion only. She sits with him and watches TV or they talk if he feels like it. I pay her 10 per hour and that seems to be the going rate here in Madison, WI. The WI state Alz org. (different than the national org) pays me back up to a certain amt per yr. You might have to get someone separate to take your Mom to appts.
Another one does heavier cooking and light housecleaning. The third also drives him, does light cooking, and light housecleaning.
This is in Chattanooga, TN.