question: I will need to find a "helper" to assist my elderly parents in their home part time. Possible duties include: conversation, short walks, light housekeeping. Suggestions and referrals for agencies or other are welcome!
ROGER DODGER
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2011-02-28 12:46 PM |
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Make sure you check out the people you hire with a fine tooth comb. There is alot of scum sucking theives who take advantage of older folks here.
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COMMENT 149645
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2011-02-28 01:00 PM |
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If you hire them, they will be your employee, and you will have to withhold payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and have workers' compensation insurance. Imagine the mess you or your parents will get into if they get hurt on the job. Going through an agency is a good idea, they will keep it all legal.
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COMMENT 149646P
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2011-02-28 01:01 PM |
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My girlfriend does exactly what you need as a part time job. Right now she assists 4-5 elderly women through out the week. She gets work through an agency downtown, so you could also look there. If you want, we can somehow arrange for me to give you her phone number. Not sure how you can do that here on Edhat though. is there PM?
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COMMENT 149651P
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2011-02-28 01:09 PM |
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I'm trying to remember which service we used when my father-in-law's health was declining. I think it may have been Visiting Angels. Most of their people were very good, but you did have to watch over things to make sure the staff you got were providing the services you expected. (Some would sit with the client/patient through the night, but refused to cook meals; others loved to cook and took it on gladly.) It's not cheap, but it sure is a wonderful bit of help to have. You might contact the local Hospice and/or Visiting Nurse organizations, too, to see who they might recommend. link I agree with 645 about going through an agency. They have to maintain certain standards, they'll be insured, etc.
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COMMENT 149652
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2011-02-28 01:14 PM |
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help unlimited is who should talk to. they are bonded, licensed and insured. used them for my parents and both of my husbands parents.
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COMMENT 149656
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2011-02-28 01:20 PM |
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My neighbor uses Senior Helpers and they really rave about that company. I think they are local. I just think if it were me I would for sure go through an agency. I have no idea how much they charge, but it would be worth it to me to know that it's not some person who is in my dad's house who would rob him or talk him into buying things for them. I have heard all sorts of horror stories when people go through Craigslist. Good luck with that.
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COMMENT 149662
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2011-02-28 01:30 PM |
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Senior Planing Services are another great company..
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ROGER DODGER
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2011-02-28 01:39 PM |
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Go with Senior Helpers.
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SYVPEANUT
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2011-02-28 01:42 PM |
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All of the above is great advice. If your parents have extended care insurance that covers in home care, I would suggest having their insurance company approve the healthcare agency prior to hiring. It would be nice to be fully or partially compensated for the care. In addition, have the insurance company assign you a claim manager as the filing is nearly impossible for the layman.
Home care is a wonderful way for you and your parents to continue a loving relationship without some of the humility associated with caretaking. Enjoy every minute of time with your dear parents.
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COMMENT 149678
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2011-02-28 01:49 PM |
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Senior Helpers as Roger say, we use them for my Dad.
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COMMENT 149682P
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2011-02-28 01:52 PM |
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My dad, who lives in the San Fernando Valley, found two caregivers through the nonprofit Alzheimer's Association. (www.alz.org). The caregivers eventually quit their other jobs and now work fulltime for my parents. My dad uses a payroll company to handle the legal stuff.
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COMMENT 149685P
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2011-02-28 01:59 PM |
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Independent Living Resource Center. Another great place.
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EDHATBARBARA
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2011-02-28 02:05 PM |
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Home Instead, Senior Planning Services (www.seniorplanningservices.com), Nursecore (www.nursecore.net), Area Agency on Aging, Goleta Senior Center, Help of Carpinteria, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Jewish Family Service, Meals on Wheels, Senior Citizens, Inc. Info, RSVP Volunteers, Westside Senior Center are all possible resources for you!
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COMMENT 149701
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2011-02-28 02:47 PM |
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I use to use Senior Planning Services an although expensive was good. Could buy as little as 2 hours at a time. Ask for Debbie when you call them. I would not use an independent person unless you can monitor them closely and you know them, trust them and can check their references.
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COMMENT 149714
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2011-02-28 03:40 PM |
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List in our services section.
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ROGER DODGER
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2011-02-28 03:56 PM |
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Don't call anyone until you research some places will rip you off blind, throw your folks in a home, drug them into no more quality of Life. Research. it's like homework.
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COMMENT 149760
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2011-02-28 07:28 PM |
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You go through an agency until you find someone you trust, then you hire them away privately, splitting the difference between the $30+ per hour the agency charges and the $14 per hour they pay the caregiver. Everybody's happy, even the agency since they typically have a contract with you that stipulates a finder fee or similar for hiring one of their employees.
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COMMENT 149795
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2011-03-01 07:22 AM |
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Call Diana Bales. She has a friend that worked for one of the retirement homes and now works for her self doing in home care.
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COMMENT 149796P
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2011-03-01 07:25 AM |
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Going through an agency is not a guarantee that nothing bad will happen. I work with seniors and it seems that word of mouth as well as checking references is still the best way to find most help nowadays. Meeting the person and seeing if they are a good fit for your situation is crucial.
The comment from 760 is true. I realize an agency needs to cover costs and make money, but the person doing the work only sees about half of what the client pays, so if you have a lot of money or insurance it's fine. The caregivers have quite a bit of responsibility for $12 -$15/hour. If you want a referral, call my home office.
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COMMENT 149804
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2011-03-01 07:57 AM |
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A reputable and established agency would be equipped to handle any problem,small or large that may occur. An independent contractor could mean his or her word against yours. Be careful. Very careful. Roger is right.
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COMMENT 149808
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2011-03-01 08:09 AM |
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Great advice from everyone especially from comment 760, this is very true. You may want to consider placing a call to the Nursing Department at Santa Barbara City College, I'm sure a recent CNA graduate would appreciate an opportunity like this. Make sure you ask and call thier references, very important. There are caring, trusting, patient people who do not work for an agency. Good Luck to you...
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COMMENT 149827
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2011-03-01 09:13 AM |
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If they have a room to provide, that might be a good deal for both your parents and a really nice guy I know. He has been living in a converted garage, but the owners are selling the property. He is a very caring guy and also a licensed wood contractor. So he can fix anything. And he has helped older people before, so that might work out well. Give me a call if this sounds like a possibility to you. He might be willing to provide the care in exchange for a room. I don't think he'd be available 24-7, but certainly every day for as long as you require. Call me - Marian
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COMMENT 149830
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2011-03-01 09:16 AM |
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Try the Independent Living Resource Center. They charge you nothing. People who apply there for work are checked out, references called, etc. Then you ask for help; the Center gives you names to call and you do the hiring and firing on your own. Contract workers, no need for all the paper work. The Center was started by a disabled person who thought people should be able to stay in their homes at an affordable price, not the inflated charge from agencies.
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COMMENT 149854
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2011-03-01 09:45 AM |
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Senior Helpers for sure. They have been so great for my mom and for ME. I was a wreck until I hired them. I wasn't getting any of my own work done, hardly any sleep and then I was referred by my mom's doctor to Senior Helpers. It's a great company and my mom loves her caregivers. Sometimes we get a new one but it's because my mom changes her mind about appointments so much and our schedule is crazy.
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COMMENT 149917
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2011-03-01 11:40 AM |
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Hay, try calling Diana Bales she has been cleaning houses and doing home care in Santa Barbara for 30 years, she is self employed. No workmans comp needed as she dose all the work her self, if you pay her over $599.00 a year then you need to file a 1099 on her. She has a Santa Barbara city business lic. she loves to walk with and take care of peoples home when they travel give her a call. She is responsiable and honest and reliable. I use her to clean my offices and she has lots of references.
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COMMENT 149970
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2011-03-01 02:29 PM |
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I would love to help your parents, this is what I do for a living. I come with great references. I will be getting my CNA license very soon. Email is lnbeginnings@yahoo.com.
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COMMENT 150149
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2011-03-02 07:25 AM |
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If they have any medical needs or their balance is worsening , if they've had any falls, are having a harder time getting out of a chair talk to their Dr as they may qualify for a prescription for Home Care services (nursing, bathing, PT, OT) and Medicare covers those services. I am a Home Care PT (Assitant). These services may be used in conjunction w/ any other services referred to above.
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COMMENT 198869
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2011-08-01 12:38 PM |
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Lona Corrente is very honest, reliable, has flexible hours. I have known her 40 years. She worked in nursing home for
28 years, and now is independant. She is a care giver, making lite meals, range of motion, walking, companion, hygiene, reading. Speaks Danish and English. Just cant do heavy lifting. I know she charges $15 an hour.
Her phone number is: 683-9398 And I know she has openings now.
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COMMENT 404766
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2013-05-03 11:24 AM |
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I'm surprised this thread has been dormant for 2 years. We followed advice and went with one of the well known agencies and it's been nothing but headaches. They send over a warm body at the scheduled time but there is no oversight or quality control. It's especially a problem if the elderly person is suffering from any degree of dementia, they are at the mercy of the 'caregiver'. As mentioned in the comments, you must be sure to meet and interview the prospective caregivers and leave specific instructions for them. Don't be lulled into a sense of security by the reassuring web sites and glossy brochures produced by the agencies.
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