@Rubeandrubye wrote:
I am a retired educator who is taking care of my mom. I am in good health and my daughters are grown and I thought I could work full time for a hour wage to pay credit bills however I am working PT and taking care of my mom. It would help me if I could get paid as a family caregiver since I am doing all the work such as cooking, cleaning, driving , shopping, counselling, washing and many more activities to keep her alive and healthy. Please advise
Hey there, Rube and Ruby (which one are you? ๐
You've received excellent advice already. I'll just add a couple of bits. Since you lived your life as an educator, it's time to learn and teach some more in a different subject than your specialty. One of life's miraculous blessings is that there is no end to opportunities to learn and teach and share.
In addition to pursuing ways for you to get paid, i figure it's a good idea to get your mother's financial affairs in order for the present and future. Figuring out when she qualifies for medicaid is one step for sure. Related to that are a lot of of choices. Is she eligible (and okay with) a reverse mortgage? That's one way folks stay in their homes. Are there possessions she'd like to sell, after she figures out who should inherit what? (and put labels on the backs of them with her wishes). She can go through her possessions, memorabilia, clothing, with you, a life review of sorts, and let her be the decider of who gets what. Donation? Your children? Her best friend, or the charity of her choice? It's such a burden on the survivors after the death to figure all this out. Why not share the activity now? And liquidate what isn't needed for extra cash?
Perhaps your kids, and other extended family, can be a part of caring for her in a way that teaches everyone how really true it is that it takes a village... to do anything really, but especially to rear children AND help older people live in community and with love, instead of in isolation.
Tell us more! She is so lucky to have you in her life and home!!
Jane
