Im live in caregiver for a elderly couple with dementia,I get little breaks during the day long enough to walk my dog, no days off.The lady is up like a dozen times all during the night so i get little to no sleep, The man requires less care from me but i still do alot for him There son pays me $3,600 per month but i wonder if thats enough ?
Also, I think you would be wise to document for them what is involved for their parents' care. If you do not tell them the assumption on their part will be that all is manageable, fair and copacetic.
Your service is very valuable. Do not be afraid to ask for fair compensation and some help. It is not reasonable to expect one person to serve the needs for 2 dependent people 24/7.
Your “free” rent is what it would cost to rent a room. Around here that’s 1000 a month.
I was up a lot at night with care for my father who was up a lot- circling his house. He lives in a guest house on our property. I sought to limit this anxious behavior (he has late stage dementia) and he has been much better on a sleeping/anti anxiety med. A very low dose went a long way to settling his ‘out there’ behavior. That may be something to consider for the wife. It was hard for me to commit as my dad is very anti med. that behavior can be seen as mental pain over physical pain with dementia.
Given that, and ignoring my opinion, if you are doing this then it is up to you to ask for the salary you feel is deserved. It will be up to the family whether or not they can afford it, and whether or not they continue to have you do this work, or decide to hire another.
I wish you the best.
Might be time to find another job, where you can actually still have a life and get the much needed sleep we all need.
There is too little information provided in your post to tell you if it is enough.
Are you a family member? If you are living on premise do you have a lease agreement for an exchange of service? I strongly suggest your have a private care contract established for the begining of the year if you do not have one currently. To many variables that can lead you to being homeless and jobless if you do not.