How much do people pay for caregiving?

[waters3]

For Anthony 36yo quadriplegic we hired a private caregiver through craigslist started at $12.00 an hour over 4 years ago, now we pay her $15.50. Although can't give pay raises anymore but did now included that we will pay her 10 sick days and 2 weeks vaca a year and will pay her if we go out of town for a couple of days or so so she does not go unpaid just because we go somewhere all this in lieu of no more pay raises. She comes in M-F mornings 9:30-2:00. We have trained her on everything, cathing, trach care, using the electric hoyer lift, etc. Anthony is pretty complex with no voice, trach complete care. She also used to do overnights and live in when we (mom and dad) would go on mini vacations but can't do that anymore because she took in 3 foster kids! Anyways we use trust funds to pay her privately. Also Florida has a medicaid waiver program that Anthony became eligible for about 10years ago maybe less he was on the list about 4 years after being approved for Medicaid. They have a program that allows him a weekly allowance of 40 hours for caregiving and you can hire family and that is me. It pays me $14.50 an hour. That is only because I was grandfathered in from an old program and had to fight fight fight for the bump up to 40 hours a week. I think now if you start out in the program they will only pay what they would pay an agency and I think that is $12.50 hr.

I just started looking for an additional caregiver to come in one day a week for the 9:30-2pm shift and relieve his main caregiver so she only has to come in 4 days a week and also because she can't do the respite care during the year anymore I need someone for this. I'm putting that on another thread . . . .

I found a site called carelinx.com, they are not an agency but kind of an agency after looking though dozens of caregivers it looks like the going rate is $15 in the Tampa area. Some crazy ppl are asking $20-$30 and that is to care for elderly like run errands, "manage household", companion care. I'm finding it hard to find a venue to hire privately without going through an agency. And the problem with going through an agency is they don't "allow" their caregivers to do hands on caregiving like suctioning, intermittent catheterization, i'm not sure if their RNs do or not, but can't afford an RN for the times I want and Anthony needs that.

I have in the past had agencies send someone out and they do what I ask them to do anyway, like suctioning. I am always here though to supervise at the beginning.

[gjnl]

And the problem with going through an agency is they don't "allow" their caregivers to do hands on caregiving like suctioning, intermittent catheterization, i'm not sure if their RNs do or not, but can't afford an RN for the times I want and Anthony needs that.

Yes, most agencies require an registered nurse for bowel programs and changing catheters, possibly even suctioning. In addition they require doctors orders for these tasks.

[HACKNSACK44]

Licensed Practical Nurse was $120, now is $130 for one 2 hour visit. Price increase beginning of September.

An HHA (Home Health Aide) or CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) was $130 now $140 for one 4 hour visit. These hours could not be split i.e., two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening

I have Medicare as primary insurance and a supplement policy, and routine caregiving is not covered.

I do not need a regular caregiver, since NL does all of my care. But, there are times that NL needs down time for her own medical care. While expensive, it is the only alternative we have to our infrequent need for a caregiver.

I understand that. You have to do whatever it takes.