Obtaining benefits for hired caretakers

[Tressa999]

Since my husband gets anxious if he's alone for more than a half hour, I'm going to need to hire help.  I want to do it right, since we're in this for the long haul.  I've looked at the offerings on Craigs List and some of them offer medical insurance to caretakers.  How on earth does one obtain medical insurance for a caretaker?  How does one pay social security for a caretaker?  Is there a website that explains all this?  I've asked this question of some of the employers posting on Craigs List but no one ever answers me.

[vja]

Hi Tressa
I have 5 caretakers for my mother. I use a company called
"Paychex".  I do not know if it is available in your area.  They take care of all the tax issues, Social Security, Unemployment etc.  You have to match the caretakers Social Security which is a real pain, since you end up not just paying them say $14/hr it comes out to about $17 after you pay all the taxes the government wants, so it is hard to give the caregivers a raise at any time, which would help you keep the good ones.  You carry Workers Compensation on your homeowners insurance.  Your homeowners agent can tell you about that . It runs about $500 a year.  Re medical insurance, my caretakers are on their own.  My husband and I can't afford medical insurance for ourselves, much less our caretakers.  If you hire through an agency, they take care of all the taxes and benefits, including medical, but they will charge you about $25/hr and pay the caretaker about $10.  They are a real rip off, but sometimes the only option.  Hope this helps.

[Debbe883]

My mom has nearly 24x7 coverage from CNAs to help with my Dad and pays them a flat $15.00/hr.   I just wanted to mention that she found her CNAs mainly from local nursing homes and none have asked her to pay health coverage, social security, etc.  Maybe because they already have health coverage thru their normal job...  It seems that many of the CNAs are looking for extra work.

I don't know what's legal or not, but the CPA who just did their taxes didn't seem to have a problem with the setup.  I am going to check out workers comp issue - I hadn't thought of that. Don't know if we need it if they aren't technically "employees", but worth looking into.

Good luck.

[Tressa999]

Thanks, vja.  I looked up Paychex on Web and it seemed to be directed only at business, not at someone who just employs a couple of people at home.  Perhaps they have a separate site for home help?

[Tressa999]

How do you find caretakers through a nursing home if you dad is at home?  Do you call and ask if there's anyone looking for parttime work?  Or go to the nursing home and ask to put a notice on their employees bulletin board?  I'd think the nursing home would be afraid of someone hiring away their workers and wouldn't allow you to advertise there.

[Debbe883]

When we were looking for help, I remembered that a previous neighbor of mine was a nurse at a local nursing home. I hadn't spoken to her in about 5 years since she had moved, but took a chance and called her at home.  She said she'd ask around at work. One of the CNAs who reports to her at the nursing home was interested in some private duty and called back the next day.  My mom hired her and then she called three of her friends who were also CNAs to fill in some hours she couldn't work.   All three still work at the nursing home.

If I had to do it again without having my former neighbor as a connection, I think I'd walk into local nursing homes and just strike up a conversation at the nursing station and leave my name/number.  My dad had been in a nursing home for about 5 weeks and one of the full time LPNs offered to work for them part time, but didn't want the nursing home to find out.  So, I think if you can just spread the word to someone other than an "administrator", you'd have some luck.  

I also called our local hospital's Director of Nursing and although she didn't have a list of CNAs we could call, she thought compiling a list for patients being released to go home was a great idea.  Both the hospital and nursing home hire a lot of CNAs "per diem" and may know of CNAs looking for more steady work.

Another place might be senior centers.  One of the CNAs my mom has now was referred by a friend -- the CNA had worked for my mom's friend's mother for years and was available. The seniors themselves may know of CNAs who have worked for their friends or the staff may have a list of CNAs, since so many elderly need the help.

[muffin833]

how can i get paid to be my fathers cna. he is limited and i take care of all his personal business and medication