How and can I get paid to do this considering my experience as an RN, and the responsibility of substituting my work for the work of care for two family relatives? Would this be considered a full time job in the presence of legality? This is a 24 hour live in life changing experience, but this is my priority and focus. I know I should be getting paid to do this as a professional. What do I need to do in order to secure this as my position and placement of work? I guess this is the point I'm trying to get across. In other words, this is my new career, and I am going to be POA anyway. Now, how do I get paid as a professional and not a family member?
I hope both Dad and brother are competent to assign you POA because if not, it won't happen. And if you get POA, Dad would have to agree to pay you in the paperwork. Can he pay you what you think you're worth? Just because you have POA does not give you the right to pay yourself a salary. It has to say it in the paperwork. There are so many misconceptions when it comes to the responsibility of a person assigned as POA. POAs don't usually come in effect until the person is found incompetent. Until then, the principle makes their own decisions. There is an immediate financial POA, which I have for a disabled nephew because he can't handle money. But he was competent to agree to it.
Is brother on Medicaid? If so, call his caseworker and ask about "in home care". He may be able to get an aide for a certain number of hours a day based on his income. If not getting Medicaid, call them anyway and ask about in home care and ask if your State pays family. If they do, you probably will only receive what a CNA would receive. You can go this route with Dad if he is considered low income and fits the Medicaid Criteria.
The State of PA has a program where Care Agencies hire and train people to care for LOs and friends. Some advertise that they offer benefits. U could check that out in your state. But I know of no government agency that is going to pay you an RNs hourly rate. Most agencies and Medicaid hire CNAs. If someone needs an RN then they need skilled nursing and thats where they should be.
You can get paid in a couple of ways.
One is through a caregiver contract with your dad.
Another possibility is through veteran’s assistance.
Was your dad a vet during wartime? Benefits that are collected can be used to pay caregivers.
Neither of these ways will be much money.
How old are you? Do you have enough savings to carry you through this period?
Do you want to go back to nursing? Do you miss it?
You say "I know I should be getting paid as a professional for this". Are you providing medical care? We are hiring 24/7 caregivers for respite care for my FIL right now and the going rate for that in our area is $20-30 an hour. That includes things like making sure he gets fed, showers, takes his medications, safe transfers, ADLs - providing for the same needs that my SIL provides as his primary caregiver. Of that amount - the VA is providing respite care relief pay of 6 hours a day. The rest comes out of FIL's pocket. SIL however lives with him 24/7 and has been looking into whether she qualifies for any compensation as FIL's caregiver. At this point all we have found would come out of his pocket as well and would be agreed upon between them.
Is it possible that your father could pay you a small salary to care for them? Have you looked into what your state may potentially cover for your area for family caregivers. It is going to vary by state and from what I understand when it does exist it isn't usually much.
The reason why some states allow Medicaid to pay family members to take care of LO's is because it is, by far, the cheapest option out there. Family takes care of LO; gets paid at barely above poverty level; Medicaid doesn't have to deal with agencies, facilities, benefits, no-shows, hiring, etc. They aren't looking to pay for experience; they're really just looking for a warm body who's willing to take on the job, and if they can get a family member to do it, so much the better. Person needing care gets it from family member in a home (theirs or the family member), family member gets at least some sort of compensation (which those of us who care for/cared for family members who aren't Medicaid eligible aren't entitled to) and Medicaid gets off way cheaper than the alternatives.
From a financial stand point, you might very well be better off working your job and hiring caregivers to come into the home and take care of your dad and your brother. Even if you *could* get paid, it won't be at the rate that your worth, much less provide for pension, 401K, etc. or any other benefits you might have been receiving before.
How far off from retirement are you? Is this decision going to impact your future financial security? It's all very well and good that taking care of your family is your priority, but is the way you're going about it the best option for EVERYONE concerned, including yourself?
You need to consider ur future SS earnings. SS goes back 35 years. If you aren't working during those 35 years, lets say 10 of those years, then SS is only figured on 25 years u worked. And if those 10 years were the years you would have made the most money, your SS will be less.