live in carer - where to look for one?

[Cat-Blue]

Would anyone have suggestions for where to start looking for a live in carer for my father who has possible PSP, definitely atypical Parkinson's? Gumtree? Other sites? This is for recruiting them directly i.e. not through an agency. Care needs are 'relatively' light compared to how they will be but he does need 24 hour care and help getting to bathroom, being washed, sitting on the toilet/commode and meals being made, drinks fetched, opening and closing and finding things for him. I will probably live with him too so the carer would have some respite time some evenings/ weekends as well as a built in respite week or two weeks every month or so depending on what arrangement we come to. Thanks for any advice.

[SewBears]

Hi Cat-Blue, nice name. I have thought about a trade situation where someone could live with us rent free in exchange for light housekeeping duties and occasional care-sitting. I did a trial run with my nephew and it just didn’t work out. After three months I had to ask him to move out. It was difficult and created a lot of extra stress. I don’t have an answer for you but I am anxious to hear recommendations from others. Thank you for posting this question.

Xoxo from I SewBears

[Hidden]

Yes I'd be interested in knowing more about this as I have considered this arrangement too.

[Dadshelper]

You could ask around any nursing/care homes in your area for staff members looking to pick up some extra work with your criteria in mind. Nursing schools may also be an option. I'd imagine both of these entities would have some type of bulletin board where you could post a Help Wanted sign. There is always the local newspaper help wanted ads or check with any type of agency that deals with the elderly in your area for suggestions.

You are going to be inviting a stranger into your home so I'd run a background on the person Not exactly sure how'd that would be done but you can find the info for procedure online I am sure.

Ron

[messier]

Although not yet at this stage, I've looked into this for the future for my mother. I'm wondering why you don't want to use an agency. There are several out there now that act as introduction agencies or placement agencies. It doesn't mean that you get no choice or that it's a different person every week. In fact my problem is finding a local agency that has availability for a few hours a day.

[SewBears in reply to messier]

I would use an agency if it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. I mentioned a live in type of situation as more of a trade off, where funds would be practically nil. We have a house that’s too big for the two of us so there’s plenty of room. Does that make sense?

[Leylaleyla]

I’m also looking and I’ve been using care.com

It is hard to find someone affordable.

I wish I knew someone who knew someone they could recommend.

The agency’s charge over $20 an hour and only pay the caregiver 10 to 12 an hour.

My mom also has Parkinson’s but I think it could be more. She also needs 24/7 care.

[AJK2001]

Do you have a local community forum you could ask for recommendations from? Have seen on our local forum requests for carers, cleaners, handymen etc. Also in the UK, the magazine The Lady used to have classifieds at the back and quite often included live in carers & nannies - haven't seen the magazine for years, so don't know if it still exists even.

[Purp23 in reply to AJK2001]

Hi, the lady magazine does still exist, I saw a copy of it in Sainsbury’s the other day. Good luck in finding help. Px

[Sound_system]

It may be too late but here are a couple sites that link carers/personal assistants with those that need care:

activeindependence.org/

care4u.me/

curamcare.com/

disabilityhorizons.com/2019...

Hope this helps.