My husband has Parkinson's with beginning onset of dementia. We have day care, but I need a night sitter (6 hours for 1 to 2 nights) so that I can sleep. Person can nap/sleep as long as she wakes up and watches him to go to and from bathroom safe. I live in Ventura County California, I work 11 hours a day, very demanding job and sleep is essential for me in order to survive. How much are the costs of such a sitter? Where could I find one?
Thank you.
Not everyone is a light sleeper that can hear someone moving about that would need help. And if a caregiver is a heavy sleeper, being awaken can throw one's thinking off until they are fully awake.
Also depends on logistics - how far the caregiver is from the person needing care?
You are correct. If hired through an agency, caregiver is expected to be awake during their working hours - although some may nap if the situation allows.
SOME agencies try to pay caregiver less saying the caregiver 'sleeps' through the night. I say "No, a caregiver is paid to be available in a second's notice - awake and alert - to do whatever is needed. It is a huge responsibility.
I know of a situation where the family hired nursing students. Perhaps, you could look for a male nursing student. Some even give them room and board for a certain amount of "work" hours per week.
Sometimes you get the right match and it is a win-win situation for everyone.
I hope this was of some help to you...
I researched extensively 'live in' caregivers. They are considered employees and many potential problems, i.e., they do not work out and they won't leave/move out when asked (a sheriff needs to be called); they could sue (saying they fell down or injured themselves somehow).
It is a huge responsibility being an employer; a person considering a live-in caregiver needs to do a lot of research and perhaps hire an attorney. Little - although not so little - concerns such as breaks and time off are very specific under the law.
Yes: a cot or a bed is usually offered-this doesn't mean it is 'room and board,' which is a live-in. Many care providers for overnight are asked to rest / sleep in a chair / recliner. When working during the night, the caregiver is expected to be available as needed, even if getting some sleep some of the time.
You can also look up "caregivers" on Yelp.com to find ones near you with reviews, too. There are lots of them for the Ventura/Oxnard area.
If wanting independent caregivers:
- churches (bulletin boards)
- Facebook or other computer media
- Some stores like Whole Foods used to (and still might) have bulletin boards
- (some) Libraries have bulletin boards
- Colleges: Contact (1) employment dept; and (2) contact dept heads of nursing dept., social work, geriatrics. Students need hours although being awake and available during the nights may be difficult.
- Associations may have leads or refer a person to networks / support groups.
IMPORTANT: If hiring directly
* Require a criminal check (fingerprinting).
I had to do this twice (as a massage therapist and to be vetted at a retirement home to work independently with their residents). It is 'interesting' to find out who won't go through a criminal check - it is another way to weed people out.
* Do ask for references (work and personal) and call / check.
The pay would be privately negotiated with the sitter. It would depend on what the needs are. If you expect this person to be alert and ready whenever your father gets up, you should expect to pay more than you would for a sleep duty aide whose job is to simply ne in the house at night.
Expect to pay at least minimum wage if you're hiring one privately. If you deal with a care agency it will be a lot more.
Once you know your needs, and before you hire, check what your carer is doing in the day-time and whether they need an undisturbed night’s sleep. Then monitor how things go the first few nights. Check if your carer is using the night shift as an alternative to rental somewhere else, and if so (and it may be really economic and also fit your needs), sort out a sensible arrangement for showering, laundry, food etc.
People’s expectations vary a lot. So does the cost!
The Common Law Test is a guide used by the IRS to determine if a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. The standard Common Law test indicates a worker is likely an employee if the employer has control over what work is to be done and how to get it done.
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc762
If a caregiver does not live-in does not, necessarily, mean they are not an employee.
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