Caretaker of an elderly person - responsibilities and duties?

Question

Short job description - your wish is my command?;
Does anybody have firsthand experience?

If I spend 8 hours with the person and cook meals for her ( and her son), is it OK to share the meal with her?
If I take the person to a doctor, should I be paid for the gas?
Should I check the dryer for the lint?

I am a bit confused sometimes, and sometimes cannot say No.

Thanks for your answers.









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Answer 1

You've got valid questions. Based on my experience (and I do have some) with caretaking an elderly woman, I suggest you approach this job just like you would any job. Sit down with your employer(s) and together write out a job description. That is a great opener for communication and conversation about expectations you both have. As to gasoline reimbursement, that's a definite yes. You should submit your mileage as a reimbursement (e.g., on Wednesday 1/7 drove to market and physician, 32 miles round trip) and expect to be repaid according to the reimbursement rate established by the IRS (haven't checked in a while, but I think it is about 45 cents per mile). If you end up with a list of duties for which you think you should have said "no" at the end of a pay period, take them up with your employer so you'll know how to handle the situation in the future. You're not a housekeeper (are you?), but a caregiver, so minimize the duties of a cook, laundress, dishwasher, gardener, etc. You probably will be expected to do primary physical care (medications, bathing, dressing) so get those questions out so they don't expect more of you than you are qualified or interested in giving. I'd expect you to be responsible to track what you do (meds at what hour, and food quantity intake if the person is an invalid and needs tracking of input / output). Good luck, your interest indicates you care, and people who care do great.

Answer 2

You responsibilities should be clearly spelled out and you and your employer should both agree to all the terms.
She does not have to offer you meals unless you negotiated this term.
You should not be using your vehicle to take her or her son to any location period. Your employer must provide transportation either by providing you with a good and safe working vehicle with proper insurance and you should be qualified in every way to drive this vehicle or pay for a cab or public transportation. Your job is to accompany not to drive anyone. You were not hired as a chauffeur.
Of course, you should check the dryer for lint, you have accepted employment to provide some level of housekeeping I gather and checking the lint is a matter of safety. Excess lint in a dryer or washer can cause fires. Don't you want to work in a safe environment?
If you have any doubts on what you should do or not do, please call your local State Dept. of Labor and also the Hotline in your city or state on elder-care. There are more efficient departments to seek the information you need. Employment contracts vary all over.

Answer 3

definite, call man or woman keeping amenities, those human beings will strengthen a lot stink, that's going to under no circumstances wash off. taking great thing with regard to the elderly is a criminal offense all in that's personal Edit, my husband's grandmother exceeded on to the great beyond almost 2 months in the past. Now his Grandfather's care giver has buglarized the residing house 4 circumstances. Now his ninety 2 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous guy is snoozing with a shot gun. I instructed my mom-in-regulation to the contact man or woman keeping amenities. His caregiver is a 33 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous female and the Grandfather being ninety 2 thinks she's in love with him, he defends right here antagonistic to the kin. are you able to assert chum

Answer 4

I feel you should be paid for gas, especially if you are using your car (wear and tear can be expensive). If you are making dinner for them, what's wrong with sharing it with them, discuss it and see how they feel. If you are doing the laundry, by all means clean out the dryer of the lint... it dries the clothes quicker if it's clean. It's hard being a caregiver, but realize they need to help you too.