Caring for an aging loved one can be overwhelming, especially when balancing work and other responsibilities. More families are exploring the option of privately hiring senior home care to ensure their loved ones can age in place safely and happily. You might wonder what to consider when hiring senior home care assistance. Let's break down the costs and options for in-home senior care.

Topics: aging in place, household payroll, senior, Aging at home

When Mike and Joyce welcomed Mike’s mother into their home following the loss of her husband, they also hired a part-time caregiver to assist with some of her daily needs. Opting for simplicity in a challenging time and not realizing there were employment obligations, they agreed to a $500 weekly payment off the books—a decision that seemed mutually beneficial at the outset. The caregiver proved invaluable over the nearly three years she worked with them, parting ways amicably when Mike’s mother transitioned to a nursing facility.

Topics: aging in place, eldercare, Hiring Elder care, hiring care for seniors, Senior Caregiver Payroll

Assisted living centers and nursing homes are not the desirable choices for every senior. Many want to age in place in the comfort of the home they know. As your loved one ages, it can get complicated for them to do what they were once used to doing on their own. Some activities like cooking, dressing, and cleaning become unmanageable. Hiring in-home assistance for your loved one is an excellent option. However, it’s a decision that requires consideration. Here are some reasons to hire a qualified in-home senior caregiver. 

Topics: senior caregivers, aging in place, eldercare, Senior Health guide, live-in caregiver, Senior Caregiver Payroll, senior home care

As your loved one starts to age, it is important to determine what type of care for them is best. Nursing homes or assisted living centers are not meant for everyone. Many seniors and their families want to be in the comfort of their own homes if possible. Getting dressed, managing medications, cooking, and cleaning the home can get harder and harder and for scenarios like this, hiring an in-home caregiver is a great option. If you are considering finding an adult caregiver to work in your loved one’s home, here are some benefits.

Topics: senior caregivers, aging in place, eldercare, caregiver, Hiring Elder care, senior home care, senior home caregiver, agency, COVID-19

Most seniors prefer to age in place, in the comfort of their own homes, instead of moving to a care facility. Follow this guide as you plan for yourself (or a loved one) to continue living at home through the golden years.

Topics: aging in place, aging parents, senior care, caregiver, senior

Department of Labor Discusses Joint Employment, Changes in the Senior Caregiver Companionship Exemption and Announces Increased Enforcement

The Private Care Association, the voice of private duty home care, met in earlier this month in Orlando, FL and invited the US Department of Labor to discuss Joint Employment and Changes in the Companionship Exemption with its members. A guest appearance was made by Michael Hancock, Assistant Administrator for Policy, Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor and Melissa Murphy, Senior Attorney, Office of the Solicitor U.S. Department of Labor.  Mr. Hancock and Ms. Murphy addressed an anxious crowd of almost 200 independent homecare staffing agencies to discus joint employment, the expiration of the Companionship Exemption for home health agencies and stepped up enforcement by the DOL in 2015 related to the enforcement of the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA).

Topics: elder care, aging in place, senior care, nanny background screening

I spoke to a prospective client today on the phone. She just hired a senior caregiver - a woman she calls "Mom's helper" - to come in daily to assist her mother around the house. Her mother has had a series of falls recently, none serious, and needs basic help and companionship at home during the day while her daughter is working. As a sandwich generation daughter of a mother with similar issues with aging, I completely understood why she took this step and the challenges she faces trying to balance her Mom's needs and her own professional and economic needs.

Topics: aging in place, household employer, senior care, Hiring Elder care, nanny tax case study

Quality senior care is a challenge millions of families are facing as our aging family members require increasing amounts of personal care services.

Topics: elder care, aging in place, senior care, companionship services

The Dr. Phil Show is no stranger to tackling contemporary relationship and mental health issues in a straight forward, no nonsense manner. This week a woman in the audience asked Dr. Phil "When is the right time to take Mom's car keys?"

Topics: aging in place, aging parents, Alzheimer's

I recently met with a group of Geriatric Care Managers (GCM) to learn more about how they help their aging clients, and to brief them on upcoming changes to payroll laws that impact senior care.

Topics: aging in place