When hiring a private caregiver you may choose to use services such as use of search agencies/websites, background checks, and payroll set up. These may have a one-time cost of approximately $75-$350 during the hiring process. Opting for ongoing services from an agency for payroll and taxes may have a cost of $50-$100 per month. The potential savings shown in the example above should be adjusted accordingly.
Requirements for paying live-in employees and for overtime pay vary by state, therefore, options for these were intentionally omitted from this calculator. Please inquire with a payroll professional who is familiar with the laws and requirements in your state.
This is a sample calculation based on tax rates from common pay ranges and allowances. Your individual results may vary and these results should not be used as a substitute for formal tax advise. For specific advise and guidance consult your tax or payroll professional.
And then one day...
After my dad passed away, someone asked me "Sofia, how did you get through all that so well?"
I thought, "What? I hadn't noticed that I did, but I guess I did!" Not only was I prepared and ready, but so was my family and so was my dad. The last few years of my dads life were just about as good as could ever be expected under all the crazy circumstances, for everyone.
But it made me wonder, how DID that happen? And I started putting together the pieces.
It was more than a class I took, a couple degrees or some job experiences. More importantly it was my lifelong interest and study of things like self-care, and self-development, mindfulness, forgiving, accepting, communication and boundaries. These, together with my coursework and career, which specifically focused on the issues and needs of the aging population and end-of-life support, made it just about impossible for me NOT to come through all this as well as I did.
Once I had this epiphany, I realized that I am not unique in my abilities. This is teachable. But most people will face the last years of their parents lives just winging it; just taking what comes and reacting to it. Not being proactive. Not being accountable for the outcome. Not ever realizing that there is another way.
This is where I come in…
Sofia Amirpoor, MSW
~Geriatric Social Worker
~Certified Life Coach for Aging Parent Care
~and most importantly, loved, supported and cared for my Dad Victor until he passed away at 96 years old
I believe that you have the ability to achieve this same outcome
You CAN provide the love, support and care to your aging parent without losing your mind. Without the stress, anger, regret, guilt or sadness. It can be a beautiful time, regardless of what's going on with your parent. It will be what you make of it...
Get your FREE New Gen Family Caregiver MindMap
Discover the 10 areas that need attention in order to achieve career/parent care balance
How can I help?
Well, let me first explain that I have a dual personality.
There’s the expertly trained geriatric social worker in me who knows that a thorough and professionally facilitated geriatric assessment can lead to a plan that will help a senior be safe, have their needs met and thrive longer.
Then there’s the other part of me that knows, sees and has experienced that even the best laid out plan for your parent, the one with all the the best services, resources and equipment and living situations, will not impact the your emotional well-being when it comes to supporting your parent as they age.
That is, unless you are willing to become part of the plan and learn something new.
Take the first step - Watch the free Masterclass!
What's a New Gen Family Caregiver?
So, who is this New Gen Family Caregiver? She is a focused professional woman who is working hard to advance her career that she's worked so hard for.
Then her parents get older and need more help, assistance, care and intervention. (sound familiar?)
In the beginning, like a good daughter "should", she starts out trying to help her parent. Taking time off work for appointments, going after work and on weekends to provide care and meet her parent's needs. She spends hours on endless calls trying to connect the dots of the fragmented world of senior care and services.
She is acutely aware of how quickly her parent's circumstances can change and is always on pins and needles. Her heart skips a beat when her cell phone rings while she is at work - is it a parental crisis? Am I going to get pulled away from work again?
She quickly becomes exhausted from trying, unsuccessfully, to balance the relationship between her parents and all-important career.
She is consumed with guilt that she is not available to her parent as much as needed. And when she is with her parent, well, she feels like she is turning her back on her career and other important areas of life. She is becoming obsessed with the thought that she is unable to focus on anything completely.
When faced with having to provide the needed care herself, a New Gen Family Caregiver stands up and says "Yes, I do love my parents, but I can't give up my career to take care of them full-time!"
A New Gen Caregiver doesn't believe the old fashion stereo-type that it is the daughter's "duty" to provide care to her aging parents. Or that she "owes it to them because they gave birth to her". But she does believe that it's her duty to ensure that her parents are safe and are getting the care they need.
She realizes that there are so many aspects of parental care; that no one person could possibly provide everything and still have their own life. And she wants a life. She is willing to get help from a professional to put together a comprehensive plan so that her parent is safe and well cared for and all their needs are met.
Of course, she is still involved, but is able to balance the needs of her parents with the needs of her career, and other important areas of her life such as other family members, her health and wellness, social activities and spiritual well-being.
A New Gen Family Caregiver is a planner; planning way ahead of any parental crisis to reduce the potential impact on both her parents and herself.
She is willing to take a look at herself and learn how she also impacts the outcomes of her parents and her family system. And she is willing to change her own behavior for the greater good.
A New Gen Family Caregiver is far more satisfied, less stressed and more able to handle the "big crisis" situations that are bound to come.
A New Gen Family Caregiver can say with confidence that her parent has everything they need. She continues on with her career with a level of success that her parent can't help but be proud of!
I can help you become a New Gen Family Caregiver, after all, I am one myself!
Happy Caring!
Sofia
