My 90+ aunt has had self-pay round-the-clock homecare for 10 years. She enjoys music but now always sits with eyes closed, meaning that TV is of no interest to her. Current caregivers have requested internet connectivity in addition to cable TV. As this would be solely for their benefit, not for the patient's, can they be asked to contribute? What about the inevitable "but I don't use the internet" type of complaints? As financial resources are dwindling, suggestions on what is appropriate and how to handle the situation are greatly appreciated.
Phone? Of course. A decent TV? Of course. Cable? Probably unless one is in a major city and has a high-quality antenna on the roof. Internet? Meh. How many of their elderly clients have internet? Very few, I'd reckon.
I'm gathering you have cable, though. So internet is an add-on...probably, at the most, $40/month. In the scheme of 24/7 caregiving, $40 is a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy drop in the bucket. I suspect it's more principle with you than the cost.
Me? If the person was a good caregiver, I'd pop for $40/month in a heartbeat. But I don't think it's a necessity.
Chiropterist, I'm dredging my memories - colourful memories - of trying to employ a nanny, here: it was a year of unmitigated stress that ended up costing us money after my salary was taken into account. But no matter: here's how it goes. Look at the standard market offering. The caregivers receive their salary, and then as they're living-in they also have a room kitted out for their use during working periods. Myself, I'd be baulking at the cable TV, to be honest; but I suppose we're at the cusp of most ordinary homes having internet connection, just about, aren't we, like most homes have a phone and electricity and a fridge, so it could be regarded as a standard facility that 'most people' would expect to have available.
On the other hand… You can always stand your ground, and maintain that if it isn't part of your aunt's requirements it doesn't get paid for as part of the household outgoings. I think that is also a reasonable viewpoint. Bear in mind that there may be some otherwise good caregivers, though, who might be put off; and also, of course, they could be using the internet to order goods for the client, check medical information, book appointments, even co-ordinate cover with their agency. Unless it's wildly expensive in her neck of the woods I think it might be a false economy not to have it as part of her 'phone package.
The only really essential thing is to establish what is and is not included in 'room and board' before the person takes the job. No, don't ask people to chip in for extras - it gets too messy and leads to horrible misunderstandings. Professionally-minded people like LadeeM do not seriously expect turtle soup and gold spoons, just a moderate, considerate level of comfort and functionality. They are not robots.
So let's say the live-in works from 7 AM to 10PM. You give them a half-hour off for breakfast lunch and dinner and two fifteen minute breaks. You still have to pay for 13 hrs x $7.25= $94.25 per day. One day off a week? Ok you owe them $565.50 per week, MINIMUM. Some states will allow you to deduct room and board, others won't. Check your state labor laws, NEW laws are being enacted to comply with federal wage and hour standards (FLSA)
And related to paying caregiver as private contractor I have been told that this is difficult when it come to application for Medicaid. So, should be a household employee.
i stayed at my moms to care for dad for extended periods. I either used my phone for Internet or drove to the library to upload work stuff.
Internet is needed for many jobs, but if your job is caregiving it is for entertainment.