This person would arrive Sunday morning and leave Tuesday morning. What is a fair rate for 48 hours? She would not be on duty the whole time and would have a private, comfortable room in which to sleep.
It depends on what condition the client is in. If it's basically a matter of a client just not being alone but who is still able to do for themselves, then I'd put the price of 48 hours straight at $500. That's fair and reasonable. If we're talking about a client who had dementia and is incontinent and the caregiver will be responsible for toileting every two hours (or change diapers), shower (or sponge bath), dressing, fixing meals, giving meds and monitoring them for 48 hours then I'll say $750 is fair. The caregiver accommodations being decent and all is pretty nice (many times they are not), but that's not incentive to pay less for the help.
NeedHelpWithMom, I remember back when my boss had hired a private day time caregiver for his wife who had Alzheimer's.... it was an excellent match and everything was working out fine for months until....
my boss installed cameras around the house. He just wanted to see how his wife was doing when he was at work. He told the caregiver about the cameras and the caregiver tried to get use to the cameras but she just couldn't. So she resigned. I know I wouldn't want cameras on me, either.
Then it was an uphill battle for my boss to bring in a new caregiver as his wife wanted the caregiver she had before. She wouldn't accept anyone new.
He removed all the cameras but by then the original caregiver had already found a new client. He said he could kick himself for even thinking about cameras.
If everything was working out good for several months then why did he feel the need to install cameras? That caregiver was right to leave the job because that's an insult of the highest order after she'd already been there and was working out well. I'd leave too.
My ILs pay their aide $20/hour for a straight 48, which is less than $4 over county minimum wage. That is $960 per shift, or just under $50K/year.
A lot of people on both sides think they don't have to report this to the tax man or comply with wage and hour laws. That puts the client in an extremely risky position with any disgruntled indy caregiver.
Providing a private room is not a mitigating factor any more than providing quarters for firefighters working a 72-hour shift is. They might be "sleeping" but that's with an ear always up for whatever you need them for at any time of the night.
Let me tell you, that kind of money doesn't put anyone in a risky position because of a disgruntled independent caregiver. A caregiver making good money like that isn't going to snitch on the employers not taking taxes out because they know the tax man will come down hard on them too. That's something no one ever has to worry about. If it gives potential private-pay employers cause for concern, then they can make a contract with the caregiver stating that the caregiver is responsible for paying the tax man themselves.
She still has to be there to respond even in the middle of the night, doesn't she? A nice place to sleep is not consideration n even partial payment. A 24 hour fee is usually about $350.00 n my area.
sunbrooke, I see you are planning on hiring someone to work 48 hours except for sleep at night, is that correct? If you are hiring outside of an Agency, then the going rate is whatever you and the caregiver agree upon. Make sure you draw up an employment contract. I had used an Agency for my Dad's caregivers, and at that time I was charge $30/hour. Self-employed caregivers usually charge less.
And since your are hiring an "employee" you will need to call your insurance agent for your house, as you would need to purchase "workman's comp" insurance in case said employee gets hurt on the job.
Make sure this caregiver has had his/her flu shot.
If we're talking about a client who had dementia and is incontinent and the caregiver will be responsible for toileting every two hours (or change diapers), shower (or sponge bath), dressing, fixing meals, giving meds and monitoring them for 48 hours then I'll say $750 is fair.
The caregiver accommodations being decent and all is pretty nice (many times they are not), but that's not incentive to pay less for the help.
my boss installed cameras around the house. He just wanted to see how his wife was doing when he was at work. He told the caregiver about the cameras and the caregiver tried to get use to the cameras but she just couldn't. So she resigned. I know I wouldn't want cameras on me, either.
Then it was an uphill battle for my boss to bring in a new caregiver as his wife wanted the caregiver she had before. She wouldn't accept anyone new.
He removed all the cameras but by then the original caregiver had already found a new client. He said he could kick himself for even thinking about cameras.
That caregiver was right to leave the job because that's an insult of the highest order after she'd already been there and was working out well. I'd leave too.
A lot of people on both sides think they don't have to report this to the tax man or comply with wage and hour laws. That puts the client in an extremely risky position with any disgruntled indy caregiver.
Providing a private room is not a mitigating factor any more than providing quarters for firefighters working a 72-hour shift is. They might be "sleeping" but that's with an ear always up for whatever you need them for at any time of the night.
If it gives potential private-pay employers cause for concern, then they can make a contract with the caregiver stating that the caregiver is responsible for paying the tax man themselves.
And since your are hiring an "employee" you will need to call your insurance agent for your house, as you would need to purchase "workman's comp" insurance in case said employee gets hurt on the job.
Make sure this caregiver has had his/her flu shot.
I would only add one thing, cameras!
Freq,
Do you think a person should know that cameras are in place?
Some say yes, some say no.
I know in my area, cameras are allowed in NH’s with stipulations. The camera cannot invade a roommate’s privacy.
In a home setting there isn’t an issue of a roommate.
What’s your opinion on someone who would object to a camera?