When you have to provide care for a loved one, it can turn into a full-time job, which in turn can be financially crippling. Sometimes the loved one can help out by offering some payment, but that may not cover the financial loss suffered, and may make it difficult for the patient, whose income will then be lessened.
There are ways that you can draw a salary as a caregiver, but it takes time, research, and perseverance to get these in place.
As mentioned earlier, the senior for whom you are caring can sometimes pay for the care through a caregiver’s contract drawn up by a qualified attorney. In some cases this payment can be drawn down from insurance, with the family member designated a primary caregiver.
Other options for drawing down salary include:
- Family Leave options from work. Some employers have employee assistance programs that can help with expenses when this sort of situation arises.
- Eldercare Locator, which is a service offered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
- Internet resources exist at places like paidfamilyleave.org, which includes a listing of each state’s paid leave programs.
- Look into your state’s law about options for caregivers. Some states have specific legal statutes in place for situations like this.
Offsetting the loss of a salary when you become a caregiver is not always straightforward, but it is often possible with the right time and research.
