Overworked - Caregivers Message Board

HopeAtWork · 01-16-2004, 10:48 PM

I am wondering if anyone knows if an agency can legally work me as a live-in 24/7. They do this a lot and they are paid to provide a replacement for me. I live in California, not sure what the law about it here is. I go to church on Sundays and havent been able to do that lately. I am very stressed out. I needed to go to the urgent care this week and it took the agency over 4 hours to get someone here so I could go. I don't think what they are doing is right.

Merv · 01-20-2004, 03:23 PM

Hi There!
Ive been working & trying to get clients through two different counties here in Oregon and they are both run different and I'm told that each county here in Oregon is different. I am paid by the state. That said, you should have been able to specify if you wanted hourly work or live in 24hour work when you filled out your application. If your paid by a private agency that may be a whole different can of worms. I think the 24 hour live in people are allowed one full day of paid leave per YEAR! Awful, but we finally have our own care providers union now, that hopefully can iron out a few of these sticky issues.
Good Luck
Merv

HopeAtWork · 01-22-2004, 03:55 PM

I dont get ANY paid days off and I have been here for 4 1/2 years. I love the guy I take care of and thats why I stay. I looked at the website for the agency I work through and it says 24 hour care givers are to get 2 full days off a week. Doesnt help me though. Thanks for your reply.

tmbr1592 · 03-15-2004, 06:06 AM

In what conditions can a care taker be paid??? My domestic partner cares for me. I am disabled with fibromyalgia and some other auto immune disorders. I'm working on getting SS but Missouri is backlogged until forever. I've already waited 2 years, have an attourney and supposedly am supposed to be viewed for an expidited hearing soon. But my partner is killing herself working 40 hours and taking care of me. If she were getting paid a little, then perhaps she wouldn't have to work as long. Once the SS is approved she can cut back her hours. But is there anything I can do until then?

northwest · 03-15-2004, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmbr1592

In what conditions can a care taker be paid??? My domestic partner cares for me. I am disabled with fibromyalgia and some other auto immune disorders. I'm working on getting SS but Missouri is backlogged until forever. I've already waited 2 years, have an attourney and supposedly am supposed to be viewed for an expidited hearing soon. But my partner is killing herself working 40 hours and taking care of me. If she were getting paid a little, then perhaps she wouldn't have to work as long. Once the SS is approved she can cut back her hours. But is there anything I can do until then?

Ive replied to another one of your posts in a different thread. Glad to see you're using the message board!

About your question... it doesnt really matter what conditions a caregiver gets paid.. what really matters is if you QUALIFY to get a caregiver. You need to talk with a social worker , your local dept. of health services, etc. ask them what qualifies a person to get a caregiver. ive seen some people with little disability get it while another person with a severe disability doesnt. thats the govt. for ya!!!! i know a main reason people get a caregiver or not is their income, in WA state im pretty sure you have to have under 2000$ at all times... i think thats the same to get welfare and food stamps... SO if you QUALIFY to get a caregiver THEN that would be the beginning to something good.. because then your partner could become a caregiver (its not very difficult at all... a week long course or so and then ongoing training, cpr, first aid etc.) once your partner is trained as a caregiver and working for a local company she could work for you and get paid by the company... its really confusing, i dont even know the beginning of it , but basically.. a disabled/handicapped person gets money from a program, like medicare.. then medicare pays like 19$/hr to the caregiver company, then the company takes half and the worker gets the other half.
this all sounds difficult.. but govt assistance programs usually are... first see if you even qualify, then go from there.... i have seen spouses become caregivers and care for their own.. so i know it can be done...
Take Care and keep us updated,

nothwest