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Hiring family as caregivers

by Elizabeth on January 31st, 2007

This article from the Washington Post’s Career Journal is interesting, it’s about drawing up a contract for a family member to take care of elderly or disabled family members:

These arrangements, which are also called personal-service or personal-care agreements, can help reduce the size of a parent’s estate and thereby improve their chances of becoming eligible for long-term-care coverage under Medicaid. They can also minimize battles between siblings and other family members. For many other families, the contracts simply help reward the significant amounts of time, effort and money that family members often spend watching over and taking care of an elderly relative.

I had forgotten about it until I read that, but, I do know a family that did just that.

The family had quite a few children spread all over the country with various obligations. Both parents became ill and in need of assistance at the same time. One of the siblings was willing, and, in order to make her available, she was paid by the parents and other siblings to be their caregiver.

I’m not sure about all the reasons that they arranged it this way, but, I’d guess that among the advantages was the fact that their parents could remain in their own home longer, and, that they had a stable, dedicated caregiver around. The sibling providing care was treated in a professional manner, and, had an income, as well. It’s not that she was the type that expected to be paid or she wouldn’t do it, I think it was a way to secure the right person for the job, and, respect it as such.

Sure, this isn’t an option for everyone, but, may work well in the right situation.

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POSTED IN: Aging Parents, Caregiver, Eldercare, Media