Fed Financial

I am a caretaker of my elderly mother. I need to be with her 24/7. Is there any financial help I could get?

My mother needs a full time caretaker 24 hours a day. I am that caretaker. I cannot get a job because of this. My mother gets a check for $1300 every month and she has no savings. I was wondering if I could get some kind of financial aid to help with my bills because I am barely making ends meet anymore! I dont want to put my mom in a nursing home, she'd get so confused and sad. I dont mind taking care of her, it's hard, but has it's rewards. I just need to pay my bills! THANK YOU for any info.

Public Comments

1. there should be agencies in ur area that provide that service look them up online u could work for them and they could build medicaid to pay for wage to take care of her they also can provide u with helpers so can live ur own life as well its awesome what ur doing i hope it works out for u
2. There is that possibility that you could get some financial help. Call the Agency on Aging National Hotline at 1-800-510-2020 and your call will be directed to the office closest to you. Discuss your problem with them and they will be able to tell you or give you a referral to someone, whether it be Social Services or another office. Thanks for your kind and caring attitude for your Mom. We all appreciate it when people care, especially children. Good Luck!
3. Check with agencies in your areas. It seems to me if you get qualified as a cna you can get paid by social security (I think that is who pays) for her care.
4. Call around and find out if you have nursing agencies that hire in home aides. If they do you can sign up to take care of your mother and get paid. Be sure to ask them if you need to be certified as CNA. Check with the other agencies as suggested above. Doesnt hurt to try every avenue available to you. You can also contact your local social services and ask if they know if this is done in your area or how to go about helping you. It is much cheaper to keep a family member at home than it is to the state to place them in full nursing care. Good luck to you.
5. I take care of both of my parents as well. I don't know where you live at, but here where I live at, they will not help someone that is a care giver when you are kin to that person. But yet they will pay someone else to do that job. They told me that to many people have claimed to care for their kin folks to get help when they weren't at all. So I can't get any help here at all. Good luck if you can get any at all. Oh and IF you find out where to go to get some help, drop me a line so I will know where to go as well. Been doing this for about 2 years or so and still haven't found any place that will help me out.
6. Try all the things the others said...but also check with some churches. Sometimes they know things like this. Also...you probably need someone to sit with her part time and I'm sure they have people in churches who volunteer to help out . I'm sure you need a break. You''re lucky she gets a check for that much. What if she didn't get anything at all!! I'd check about food stamps too...since there are two of you, they might help you and that would save some money. You need to get in touch with as many groups as you can. If each group can tell you "one more thing" or get you just "a little more help"..that will add up. I admire you. You're a good daughter. I'm sure your mother realizes that. Hang in there!! EDIT...If they'll pay for someone else to stay with her...why don't you do that...and you can get a job...at least a part time one.
7. Im looking to help The Elderly, But Im in Chicago Ill. Has to be in chicago ill, Anyway, You can Put a Add in Stores, Thats what im doing, & in your local news paper to to help her.
8. That is a hard job! even if very rewarding! You are to be commended! My mother-in-law is suffering from dementia, & one of her daughters is caring for her... I don't think she'd be able to remember --or feel comfortable-- if a stranger became her caregiver. You do need to be careful to take care of yourself, though, even beyond getting the bills paid...
9. As far as I know you have a few choices....your church, perhaps a local philantropist, and SS disability...but if she is drawing ss, then no more money. If you own your own home, try for a reverse mortgage, the bank pays you a monthly...if you do not own, you are not going to find help, I am sorry to say. Medicade and medicare are of some help for docs and meds...are you drawing on them? IF you/she has family, perhaps they could chip in some bucks also. Phil
10. Good for you. That is a labor of love and I am sure you deserve to be paid. Unfortunately it isnt that easy and you may need to look into hiring someone to come in while you work maybe while your mom is sleeping. Too many people have abused the system and made it a lot harder to do this when it is the perfect solution if one is willing. I am sure your mom appreciates it and would approve if you wanted to work parttime at least.
11. seems the caretaker needs a hug, so be sure to contact your local agencies (county?) about the elderly. They have programs such as Meals on Wheels for food, in-home nursing/bathing, etc. Is the home in her name? Did you get her Power of Attorney? Sounds like she has Dementia and needs that diagnosis. Nursing home is a last resort. Sit down with someone to help you with a budget (siblings?). Find a way to get out of the house for yourself several times a week, because you can get paid for taking care of her - if you had to pay someone else, why not you? Good luck!
12. In Michigan (and other states) you can get some assistance from social services -- if that helps.
13. Contact you local social services agency. I think more than money you need occasional relief. No one can carry that burden 24/7 and not be at risk themselves. The governments recognize this and can provide someone to give you regular brakes.
14. Depending on what state you're in. Here in Cal. I know of relatives who are paid for caring for their elderly parents. I know of a woman who was paid for caring for her terminally ill husband. We have a state service called IHHS In Home Health Support ( I think). The person signs on with In Home Support and is paid by them. If you were not caring for your mom, the state would have to so in the long run they're saving money.
15. Not in the USA. But talk to a lawyer - maybe you could get a share of your Mother's $1300, and that would help you out! Maybe the amount could be considered as Pay! It is a very hard thing to have to do - - - but to put it to you the hard way - it's that or the nursing home! Good luck to you -hoping your Mom improves.
16. In NY state, you can apply for Community Medicaid & receive home attendant services. Since your mother does not have any savings, she would be a candidate for the medical assistance program. You didn't mention if she owns any property, but if she does & you are living with her, she can still be eligible for Medicaid & you can continue to live there as her adult child caregiver. Contact the Dept. for the Aging, or stop by any senior center & speak to a social worker, many times they can assist you with the paperwork. Best of luck, Phyllis G.
17. Check with your state Public Aid agency. They pay non-related people for being caregivers. However, your mother may get too much money for them to help. Check anyway.