I agree with everyone. Someone did post to charge rent over getting paid for caregiving. Too much involved tax wise and keeping good records.
Mom should pay for anything personal. If she wants special foods, needs new clothes, depends, wipes, copays, prescriptions, dr bills. I never charged to driving Mom to appts. They were all in our little town.
I used Moms bank statements as a record. I wrote a check for everything. If I paid out of pocket, I kept the receipt and once a month wrote myself a check. I put the receipts in a small envelope and attached it to the statement with the amount and # of the check. When she was ready for medicaid, the statements were my proof where her money went. Make sure her money is used only for her. No large amts should be given to family. This will cause a penalty.
That's exactly how I work the accounting in our house. I keep the receipts and also record everything on a spreadsheet.
I charge Mom only for stuff that is hers and hers alone. She doesn't pay rent to me, and the only food charges are for stuff she wants that we don't consume. I think this is the most straightforward way to do it.
You have some good answers here, but do know that whatever you do you should have this written in stone, a contract you make with her as to costs and what is provided. This is something you also have likely to claim as income. So this is a question you might want to consider taking to a Lawyer to get that all drawn up. Careful records are a MUST as you can never know when you have to turn them over to someone, or when your Mom may need placement without having funds, and need to apply. Paperwork is asked for up front.
Send has give you a good suggestion. I would further it by creating a written rental/co-habitation agreement where it is written out and notarized. In it you will also want to include terms for when it will be too much for Mum to live there and need to go into care.
Having a rental agreement will help with Medicaid look back.
Mom should pay for anything personal. If she wants special foods, needs new clothes, depends, wipes, copays, prescriptions, dr bills. I never charged to driving Mom to appts. They were all in our little town.
I used Moms bank statements as a record. I wrote a check for everything. If I paid out of pocket, I kept the receipt and once a month wrote myself a check. I put the receipts in a small envelope and attached it to the statement with the amount and # of the check. When she was ready for medicaid, the statements were my proof where her money went. Make sure her money is used only for her. No large amts should be given to family. This will cause a penalty.
I charge Mom only for stuff that is hers and hers alone. She doesn't pay rent to me, and the only food charges are for stuff she wants that we don't consume. I think this is the most straightforward way to do it.
Having a rental agreement will help with Medicaid look back.
Plus her special needs/supplies (Ensure, diapers, OTC Meds.)
$10 for every ride.