Learn about salaries, benefits, wage satisfaction, and where you could earn more. The federal government recently extended minimum wage and overtime protection to most home health workers. If you're hiring a caregiver for yourself or an older loved one, you should familiarize yourself with the rules, even if the paid caregiver is a family member. In addition, if the caregiver's employer is a home health agency, the home health agency can never apply for the exemption for companionship.
If you hire family members, you must pay them for overtime and minimum wage whenever they dedicate more than 20 percent of their time to care services. Employees are entitled to the higher rate of the two when there is a federal and state minimum wage law. Caregivers who perform tasks for the entire family and caregivers who provide medical services are also not covered by the companionship exemption. However, the exemption from companion services does not apply when a caregiver spends more than 20 percent of their workweek providing “care services.”There are several factors that can influence the amount of money caregivers earn, so consider this before becoming a caregiver.
If you directly hire the caregiver who lives there, you must pay the caregiver the minimum wage, but you are not required to pay overtime. Therefore, if you directly hire a caregiver whose job is solely to keep the older person company (for example, taking the client out for a walk, playing with the client, reading or accompanying him on his errands), the protections of the FLSA do not apply. The Department of Labor has released a guide for families entitled “How to pay minimum wage and overtime to homecare workers” on FLSA requirements. Caregivers who live with clients don't necessarily work all the time they're in the house, and employers don't need to pay for the time they sleep, meals, or any other time off duty.
Checklist for a home care agency for the elderly Checklist for choosing a home care agency Checklist for choosing an assisted living community Checklist for driving safely Checklist for elderly care and employment View all checklists. In the meantime, if you connect directly with family or your loved one, you can earn full caregiver salary.
