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I'm trying to find out if it is possible for me to care for my parents in their home and receive payment. They need daily assistant with paying bills, making food plans, getting to doctor's appointments and picking up and taking their medications -

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Really the only way to get paid to take care of your parents is to have a written contract *with them* and then they pay you above the table. The reason it needs to be written is for the possible Medicaid application. Any other transferring of funds to you without an employment contract will look like gifting to them.

If you tried to get paid by Medicaid for 2 people, this will be very challenging and your parents will first need to qualify medically and financially and you will be paid minimum wage and then I think Medicaid will dictate how many hours they will pay you for, and I don't think it will end up as full time. Better that your parents pay you.

Please consult with a certified elder law attorney. It's essential that your parents assign a DPoA and if you're the one providing the care, it's probably best that the DPoA is you. That being said, physically and administratively taking care of 2 declining elders will NOT be easy. Go into this with your eyes fully open. Do not romanticize it. Read the many posts on this forum about caregiver burnout.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Remember that you will need to keep records of your work and file the income on a Federal/State tax return IF your parents ever file for Medicaid. If you don't do this it will be counted as a gift and penalize the IF they eventually file for Medicaid.
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Reply to ladymarlie
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We are not an employment agency. We are a forum of caregivers sharing our experiences. The only program I know who may pay you is Medicaid. You contact them through your local Social Service office.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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danaholland12, welcome to the forum. One way to get paid is to have your parents pay you.


Another way, is for your parents to sign up with Medicaid (different from Medicare). If they quality for Medicaid, check with your State to see what programs are available where you can get paid. But note, that payment would probably be minimum wage for a few hours per week. Medicaid is funded by us taxpayers.


As for a Personal Care Agreement, I assume that would be between your parents and you, as to what chores you will do, how many hours per week, what days you will have off, and your hourly pay. This Agreement stays with you and your parents, it isn't sent anywhere.
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Reply to freqflyer
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