Caregivers provide invaluable assistance, from running errands and companionship, to overseeing tenant’s health and ensuring they take their medications correctly.
Tenants seeking live-in care assistance can apply by filling out a form and property owners must verify its need through income verifications and documentation of need for live-in assistance.
Costs
Live-in aides may be an economical and efficient alternative to assisted living or home care services, and may even prove more affordable than nursing home care depending on your individual requirements.
Live-in care may not be appropriate for all seniors; for instance, tenants living in subsidized housing cannot use live-in care because it requires including the income from an aide in their rent calculations.
Pricing a live-in caregiver typically involves two components: room and board and hours of service. Room and board includes providing a private room for the caregiver as well as three meals daily, housekeeping services, transportation and activities such as social engagement.
Caregivers are paid an hourly rate that can be estimated by taking into account the average rental cost in your geographic location and the hours per week you need an aide. A formal care agreement should be created in order to outline their specific responsibilities and compensation, as well as explore your pay options based on Fair Labor Standards Act guidelines.
Requirements
Live-in aids should provide medical insurance and financial support, pass a background check, meet all requirements set forth by your housing program’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), do not bring children with them, and are in compliance with its policies on this matter. Contact your PHA to understand more on this issue.
HUD guidance indicated in the past that family members of live-in aides could not reside in Section 8, Section 202 and Section 811 housing developments; however, the Court held this was only advisory and did not prohibit their use as live-in aides in these properties. To protect residents’ incomes and ensure they comply with residency standards for such aids living there as live-ins aides are included within household income figures and documents filed for each resident, owners should also include in their housing files all financial records for them and create lease addenda prohibiting them if an aide does not meet such criteria – these steps must also include in documentation within files and resident household income reports to HUD to comply with HUD guidance governing this topic.
Qualifications
Live-in aides must fulfill the criteria set forth by each affordable housing program, including documentation from medical practitioners verifying that a disabled tenant requires 24/7 care. Verification must be in writing on official letterhead and verified from multiple medical practitioners; owners cannot require patients to provide confidential medical records or undergo physical exams as part of this verification.
Live-in aides should not be family members and must pass background and drug screenings before being considered as home health aides. Furthermore, they must pass an exam that tests them as home health aides as well as receive at least some training prior to receiving their job duties. Finally, they must possess a valid work permit.
Many properties ask if spouses or other family members can qualify as live-in aides. The answer is yes, though it can be challenging to demonstrate that separated spouses wouldn’t otherwise reside there for any other purpose other than caregiving for a resident. It is recommended that property managers use a lease addendum to clearly state that live-in aides hold no right of occupancy and allow eviction if they violate any apartment rules.
Benefits
Many states provide financial assistance for live-in caregivers to assist seniors living with complex medical conditions. Caregivers can be particularly useful in getting to doctor’s appointments on time, running errands efficiently, taking medications promptly and noting any recurring or sudden infections – in case of emergencies they can even call 911 quickly!
Caregivers can also assist with meal preparation, housekeeping, shopping needs and transportation to recreational activities or medical appointments. Live-in aides offer more individualized and flexible care solutions; they work around your schedule rather than vice versa.
Live-in aid offers many advantages for individuals living at home and can prevent risks associated with larger care facilities. Residents also experience peace of mind knowing someone is always nearby to offer help when necessary; additionally, living aides become familiar with patients over time which may make them more at ease with them and help ensure a more positive experience overall.