I am trying to make more sense of my dad's expenses the past seven months. It seems A LOT of money has been going to in - home companions who stay 2 or 3 hours, and charge at least $100 regardless. I spoke to one of these ladies (who actually has references, and has been reliable - several have not) over the weekend. She says she will stay for "up to 4 hours" at that price, but even if it is only half an hour, it is still $100 - because: a) she has to drive out here, and b) she passes up other work to do so. The reason I'm asking is that dad has been having companions in sometimes twice - or three times! - a week. That alone blows his budget to bits. I've already asked the neighbors if I could pay them, but they're elderly as well ( 60's-70's) and are afraid to be responsible for looking after dad. Senior services is a non-starter also, due to their policies. Any thoughts would be welcome. Everything I try, I run into a wall, it seems!
I pay them each $10 per hour.
They were told that they were mainly a companion but would be dispensing her pills (already sorted) and making sure she had breakfast and lunch.
Of course, Mom is boring so they have taken up laundry sometimes light housework, toileting, bathing, taking Mom to doctor, grocery shopping and ordering supplied from Amazon - just to have something to do.
The 4 day a week has become family and we take her on our many Disney World vacations. For those, she gets paid $100 per day plus all food, drink and park tickets. She shares a room with Mom and is with her 24/7
I know, I am truly blessed.
I had used an Agency for my Dad and I was charged around $30/hour, but they were making him all his meals, doing light housework, laundry, taking Dad for walks, to doctor appointments, etc. Since they were from a licensed Agency, the Agency was already covering their employees with workman's comp.
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