I am a caretaker of my elderly mother. I need to be with her 24/7. Is there any financial help I could get?

Question

My mother needs a full time caretaker 24 hours a day. I am that caretaker. I cannot get a job because of this. My mother gets a check for $1300 every month and she has no savings. I was wondering if I could get some kind of financial aid to help with my bills because I am barely making ends meet anymore! I dont want to put my mom in a nursing home, she'd get so confused and sad. I dont mind taking care of her, it's hard, but has it's rewards. I just need to pay my bills!
THANK YOU for any info.

Answer 1

There is that possibility that you could get some financial help.

Call the Agency on Aging National Hotline at 1-800-510-2020 and your call will be directed to the office closest to you.

Discuss your problem with them and they will be able to tell you or give you a referral to someone, whether it be Social Services or another office.

Thanks for your kind and caring attitude for your Mom. We all appreciate it when people care, especially children.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

seems the caretaker needs a hug, so be sure to contact your local agencies (county?) about the elderly. They have programs such as Meals on Wheels for food, in-home nursing/bathing, etc. Is the home in her name? Did you get her Power of Attorney? Sounds like she has Dementia and needs that diagnosis. Nursing home is a last resort. Sit down with someone to help you with a budget (siblings?). Find a way to get out of the house for yourself several times a week, because you can get paid for taking care of her - if you had to pay someone else, why not you? Good luck!

Answer 3

Try all the things the others said...but also check with some churches. Sometimes they know things like this. Also...you probably need someone to sit with her part time and I'm sure they have people in churches who volunteer to help out . I'm sure you need a break. You''re lucky she gets a check for that much. What if she didn't get anything at all!! I'd check about food stamps too...since there are two of you, they might help you and that would save some money. You need to get in touch with as many groups as you can. If each group can tell you "one more thing" or get you just "a little more help"..that will add up. I admire you. You're a good daughter. I'm sure your mother realizes that. Hang in there!!
EDIT...If they'll pay for someone else to stay with her...why don't you do that...and you can get a job...at least a part time one.

Answer 4

Not in the USA. But talk to a lawyer - maybe you could get a share of your Mother's $1300, and that would help you out! Maybe the amount could be considered as Pay! It is a very hard thing to have to do - - - but to put it to you the hard way - it's that or the nursing home! Good luck to you -hoping your Mom improves.

Answer 5

Call around and find out if you have nursing agencies that hire in home aides. If they do you can sign up to take care of your mother and get paid. Be sure to ask them if you need to be certified as CNA. Check with the other agencies as suggested above. Doesnt hurt to try every avenue available to you. You can also contact your local social services and ask if they know if this is done in your area or how to go about helping you. It is much cheaper to keep a family member at home than it is to the state to place them in full nursing care.

Good luck to you.

Answer 6

In NY state, you can apply for Community Medicaid & receive home attendant services. Since your mother does not have any savings, she would be a candidate for the medical assistance program. You didn't mention if she owns any property, but if she does & you are living with her, she can still be eligible for Medicaid & you can continue to live there as her adult child caregiver. Contact the Dept. for the Aging, or stop by any senior center & speak to a social worker, many times they can assist you with the paperwork.
Best of luck,
Phyllis G.

Answer 7

Good for you. That is a labor of love and I am sure you deserve to be paid. Unfortunately it isnt that easy and you may need to look into hiring someone to come in while you work maybe while your mom is sleeping. Too many people have abused the system and made it a lot harder to do this when it is the perfect solution if one is willing. I am sure your mom appreciates it and would approve if you wanted to work parttime at least.

Answer 8

Depending on what state you're in.
Here in Cal. I know of relatives who are
paid for caring for their elderly parents.
I know of a woman who was paid for
caring for her terminally ill husband.
We have a state service called IHHS
In Home Health Support ( I think).
The person signs on with In Home
Support and is paid by them. If you
were not caring for your mom, the
state would have to so in the long run
they're saving money.

Answer 9

I take care of both of my parents as well. I don't know where you live at, but here where I live at, they will not help someone that is a care giver when you are kin to that person. But yet they will pay someone else to do that job. They told me that to many people have claimed to care for their kin folks to get help when they weren't at all. So I can't get any help here at all. Good luck if you can get any at all. Oh and IF you find out where to go to get some help, drop me a line so I will know where to go as well. Been doing this for about 2 years or so and still haven't found any place that will help me out.

Answer 10

Contact you local social services agency. I think more than money you need occasional relief. No one can carry that burden 24/7 and not be at risk themselves. The governments recognize this and can provide someone to give you regular brakes.