How much should you pay an in-home caregiver?
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A co-worker of mine employs an in-home caregiver to help take care of her 80-year-old mother. The CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is currently paid $12 per hour, 30 hours a week. Lately, the CNA has indicated she would like an increase in pay and hours. Unfortunately, due to the faltering economy, the family cannot pay any more than the current rate or provide the CNA with additional hours.
Do you think $12 an hour is a fair rate? Are you struggling to pay for outside help to provide caregiving services for your relatives?
19 comments Add your comment
Tasha Barner
January 26th, 2009
4:53 pm
Hi,
I am about to have that problem…..my mom and dad are still together but my dad is starting to have problems that my mom cant handle…I really was trying to find out how much to pay for the best care and that the employee can also take care of their needs and family….Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tanikka P.
February 12th, 2009
11:07 am
I am a care-giver for a 98 year old woman. I recieve 200 dollars a week and work 6 days a week. She can not get out of bed and I work alone with bathing and changing I prepare her meals and have conversations with her. I take public transportation and have to pay for my medications. I think that I should be payed more and have help with bathing and rotating her. The family doesn’t want to pay anymore money.
lise
February 16th, 2009
11:11 pm
Hi,
Can someone answer the question about what a fair and reasonable wage would be for an elderly caregiver? $200/wk does not seem to be fair or sufficient… it doesn’t even seem to be minimum wage. We have found a wonderful gal to help my mom, and want to pay her what is right.
Please advise with what is going rate. Thanks.
Carol Wilon
February 19th, 2009
1:45 pm
Hi: I have been employed in both Nursing Homes, Adult family Homes, since approximately 1994, and since 1999 am now self-employed as a Non Medical Private In-home Adult care-provider. Primarily, I do 24 hour care, for which my rate is 200.00 per 24 hr day. Occasionally, I will get a call for hourly work and on my days off, I may accept, usually 1-6 hours a day. My hourly rate is 16.00.
My rates include light personal on-hand care, homecare, cooking, grocery shopping, errands or just companionship. I’ts difficult to find 24 hour care-providers in some areas and my rate is 30.00 under what the local posted was last time I checked. I am a State registered Nurses Aid,with many years experience in my favor, and it seems to me that 12.00 an hour is not sufficient for a CNA but I realize some families cannot afford to pay more. Sometimes there is assistance through Senior Services somehow that maybe could supplement
Ms. Mack
February 19th, 2009
1:49 pm
I have looked over a number the postings and I understand your questions about elderly care. I understand them because I’m private elderly caregiver and I hear these questions all the time with working for different families. I have done this type of work for a number of years now and I believe that you pay for what you get; but you should not be taken advantage of because you have no knowledge about the field of work. The caregiver should assess each job and the family as well as the person providing care should sit down and discuss the clients’ needs. Many care giving agents can charge anywhere from 15+ dollars per hours therefore sometime it is best the find a private caregiver in which you can trust with your family members. Private caregivers rate are most times lower and you get better care due to the fact the people are not just looking at it as a job. It’s their good name being put on the limb with clients. I can provide additional help as well as quality private care at reasonable rates. I can be reached at supercare101@yahoo.com and provide background and references. No obligation to hire
Joy Johnston
February 23rd, 2009
12:02 pm
Caring.com has a good primer with resources for determining how much you should pay an in-home caregiver:
http://www.caring.com/questions/how-much-should-in-home-caregivers-get-paid-when-they-are
LIZ
February 27th, 2009
9:11 am
IM TAKING CARE OF 2 ELDERLY PEOPLE ONE IS 89 WITH BAD ARTHRITIS IN A WHEEL CHAIR THE OTHER IS 88 WITH 13 YEARS OF ALTIMERS,I LIVE WITH THESE PEOPLE WHAT SHOULD I GET PAID TO TAKE CARE OF THEM?
Nicky
March 22nd, 2009
10:21 pm
I work 2 jobs in home health care, one is with Volenteers of America of North Alabama i get 7.50 hr and work like 24-30 hrs a wk only on week ends and i just started working for my former bosses mother, she is 95 yrs old, sharp as a wistle, she is in a wheel chair but can walk with the a walker. Now, I know for sure after reading some of the comments of that i’m definatly being takin for a ride with my pay. I was told that I would have to put her to bed and maybe once in a while prepare her dinner and clean some dishes that might be there, I’ve worked there for one week and is totally exhausted, i came everyday around 6-7 pm. and not only prepared her dinner but cooked and cleaned the whole kitchen for the family. Then i have to wait up for her, cause she doesn’t go to bed any earlier than 12 midnight, so by time i put her to bed ( because she has a lot of rituals before i actually leave her side) and i finally get into my bed it’s way after 2 am. I leave at 8 in the morning when the nurse comes in. I work for 14 hrs and she pays me only 25 dollars a day!! yes! .. I SAID 25 DOLLARS FOR THE 14 HRS!! she says i’m not doin much cause i’m just puttin her to bed! but it’s alot more then just puttin her in the bed… so i’m goin to tell her i can’t do this anymore. i’ve had at least 3 yrs experience so i deserve better pay!!
catrina
April 8th, 2009
8:09 pm
Is a certified caregiver the same as a nursing assistant?
Ebony O'Connell
April 13th, 2009
1:17 pm
I believe 12 dollars an hours is good to start out with depending on the assistance needed. If you need someone, you can always call me. My number is 317-345-6159.
Carolyn
April 20th, 2009
8:19 pm
I am a CNA and work for a private family careing for their elderly parents. I started at $10 per hour and now make $12.50 per hour. It really depends on how much experiance they have and what certifications they have. A caregiver’s pay for example normaly is between $7 -$10 per hour. I know other CNAs that recieve $15 to $20 per hour.
Lin
April 25th, 2009
2:32 pm
I am a CNA with 9yrs experience. I do both live in and 12hr care. For live in I charge 6.75 to 10.00 per hour per person, level of care depends on pay rate,and I don’t work weekends.I also have a min of 4 days.
For 12 hour shifts I charge 12.00 to 18.00 per hour based on level of care required,and require a min of 4 days/week.I charge a 100.00 holiday fee for federal holidays.I charge an overage fee for anything over 60 hours per week, additional 2.00/ hour. I have call in rates for weekend and holidays as well.As for work that I do, if I know how to do it I will. I utilize any discount I can get to save my vlients money.
I take them where ever they would like, I have even traveled out of state with a client.I cook REAL food to their diet requirements. I am not trying to get rich, just pay the bills and have money in my savings. My biggest complaint is familt who says room and board is included with 24 hour care, but when I tell them I can break my lease, that my boyfriend lives with me and that I have a great dane, when can we move in? They looked confused! Live in care means being there 24 hours a day other wise – would go home at night. I live in Phoenix AZ btw. Hope this helps everyone.
Alysia Parra
April 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
Can somebody answer my question? I live in California and I take take of a 96 years old lady. She has Dementia and I have to bathe, cook, clean,and I live in how much is the rate for 24 hour care.
gracia tanger
June 10th, 2009
1:47 pm
hi, i’ve been working as a caregiver 2,5 yrs and my agency not pay me right seen this year, any body know where i can report this issue?
Josephine Muraviou
July 8th, 2009
3:47 pm
I have been taking care of the elderly for the last 20 yrs. or so. I was a C.N.A for years. It’s not just about being a C.N.A I have seen very bad ones at the one & only Nursing that I worked at for many years.
They were there just for the job, they didn’t really care about the residents. You have to love what you are doing otherwise you should get a job at a Department store.
I am retired now, I am taking care of a woman who ambulates with a walker. The family wants me to spend the night once inawhile and I don’t know what I should charge. She is very incontinent and I have to bathe her.
Lupita
July 13th, 2009
2:56 pm
I am looking for a caregiver for my husband. He is at home disable. He takes orders well. The maximum I can pay is $15/per hour. I need somebody at home from 6:45a.m. t 5:p.m. Monday-to-Friday. This is the time I am at work. The job will be long term. If you are interested, your reply will be very much appreciated. You may call me at 949-349-3411
nadia
July 19th, 2009
7:22 pm
Hi i was recently working with a private family where i took care of their mom who is about 73 yrs old, she has chf, depnia, and it was 24 hrs for 2 days. I loved working there but what i didnt like is that i only got paid 125 per day. thats why i called the guy and told him that i couldnt keep going. the reason i did this was because i wanted experience since i am going to become a nurse when i get into the nursing program. do you think i did wrong in leaving the job? i had to cook, give her meds, clean, getting her out of bed, and take her to the bathroom. she also had mrsa, but that didnt bother me. I just thought that 125 was not enough for 24 hrs.
lori
August 27th, 2009
5:49 pm
If these are your loved ones, I would definitely heed the advice of “you get what you pay for”. And highly recommend a private caregiver versus a company that sends different people out.
jigs
November 4th, 2009
3:21 pm
Rates vary depending on the type of care that’s needed and the patient’s situation.
-Some patients are mobile & workload isn’t heavy at all. (less $)
-Some patients are heavy-set, where only a handful of caregivers are able to do the job, I’ve had instances where we employed 2 caregivers for 1 patient, 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. (more $)
-Some patients have Alzheimer’s disease and never sleep. because of the risk of the patient disappearing, shifting caregiving services are usually needed to cover 24 hours of care. It is not unusual that these patients become violent towards the caregivers and even families. Therefore you will need to hire someone with certifications regarding Alzheimer Patient Care. (more $)
-Some patients need driving caregivers where the caregiver needs to be reimbursed for the mileage/fuel that they spend, using their own car. (more $)
If you are interested in learning more, contact me. thanks!