The Beacon

Get Paid for Taking Care of a Loved One

Article Date: December 2009 – The Beacon Online

by Starr Calo–oy

If you’d rather be at home, check with the local hospices and home health agencies to see if they could refer you to a family like yours who would rather have their LO cared for in a home–like environment. Many families cannot care for their LO’s any longer at home due to their own health problems but do not want them to go into a nursing home. If you are going to be home anyway, caring for your LO, why not care for one more, for pay?

The stats in 2007 stated that the going rate for caring for someone with dementia at home was $3,500.00 – $5,000.00. Well–minded ranged from $3,000.00 – $4,000.00.

In the State of Texas, you can care for 3 people who are not related to you plus your own relatives without having a license. The purpose for a license is so you adhere to the fire departments rules for getting disabled people out of your home in case of fire. They figure that someone (in Texas for example) can get 3 people out of their home safely without having to purchase a sprinkler system or remodeling their house. Over 3, they would need to conform to the state rules for a personal care home license.

ADVANTAGES!

• 1. You get to be with your LO.
• 2. You avoid the high cost of care.
• 3. You don’t have to argue, fuss or fight with a boss who is not compassionate regarding time off to care for your LO or handle emergencies.
• 4. You control the quality of care your LO receives.
• 5. You can hire a live–in aide of your own to help you, for a fraction of what it would cost to place your LO in a care facility. This way you could train her to care for your LO the way you want and still be free to come and go with your family– you’d have a live–in sitter 24/7!

Starr & Bob Calo–oy cared for the terminally ill and people with different forms of dementia in their own home for 25 years and are the authors of 4 caregiving books. Starr hosts “Caregiving 101” and “Marriage 101” on Great Day Sunday on KENS–TV 5 every Sunday morning and both of the Calo–oy’s host 2, one–hour radio talk shows on KKYX–680am every Saturday morning; Caregiving 101 & Marriage 101. Call 210.521.8668 and/or visit our websites at: www.caregiversadvice.net www.marriage101.net —free counseling & classes.

Starr writes monthly for “The Beacon” – a San Antonio Christian Newspaper. The Beacon online at: The Beacon.