This article uses a factual scenario common to many nanny hires in order to help provide some guidance and clarification to families and nannies when negotiating nanny compensation.

After I had my first child and as my maternity leave days were coming to an end, I realized that I would need to hire a nanny to help me take care of my newborn.  I interviewed a few candidates and fell in love with Sarah; she seemed to really, genuinely care about my baby.  I felt confident with her; she was truly the best fit for my family.  Sarah was offered $500 a week.  She accepted my offer and was hired right away!

Topics: nanny tax

Our aging parents deal with physical and sometimes mental declines that challenge their ability to completely take care of themselves on their own.  They don’t like the idea of moving out of their homes to a senior care facility.  How will they safely age at home, in a safe and happy environment?

Topics: elder care, senior caregivers, caregiver background screening

Today’s smart phones are miniature computers on the go. Nannies and parents are constantly discovering new apps that help with care coordination, communication, and just plain saving time. Busy moms and nannies are constantly comparing apps and recommending their favorites to their friends.

Topics: nanny

Be specific and avoid misunderstanding

Think about the conflicts you encounter in everyday life, and you’ll recognize the role of details in smooth operations and peaceful negotiations.  This is the foundation of a senior home care work agreement.

Topics: elder care, senior caregivers, companionship services, senior home care

Employment law, wage and hour law, and payroll tax requirements for privately employed senior caregivers are governed by a complex assortment of Federal and state rules and legislation. The scope of duties is used on the Federal level to distinguish companionship care - exempt from Federal minimum wage and overtime protections - from other domestic services that do enjoy FLSA protections.

Topics: companionship services, companionship exemption, senior home care, senior home-care workers

The US Department of Labor on September 17, 2013 issued revised rules within the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that codify recordkeeping requirements of employers with live in domestic service workers. The revised rules closely mirror the recordkeeping advice that HomeWork Solutions gives all household employers. Good recordkeeping is not just the law; it also protects the household employer from unpaid wage claims.

Topics: live-in nanny, live-in caregiver, payroll recordkeeping

(2nd in a 2 part series)    

Topics: nanny staffing agency, nanny employee, nanny job interview

(1st in a 2 part series)         

Nanny Hiring Family’s perspective:

Topics: nanny job interview, nanny background screening

Care For Your Emotional Health

Along with the emotional rewards that may come from helping an older family member maintain safe and with a good quality of life, the responsibilities may take a toll on a caretaker’s emotional well-being. A reverse in roles when taking care of an aging parent can be especially difficult.

Topics: elder care, senior care, hiring care for seniors

Tips for managing your physical health while caring for an aging family member

With Americans living longer lives and often needing assistance to ensure their well-being, more people are providing care for an aging family member. New additions to our vocabulary like ‘sandwich generation’ and ‘caregiver stress,’ have emerged from this reality.

Topics: elder care, senior caregivers, Senior Health guide, companionship services