Care Giver Severance/Thank You

[ehenry]

All, I'm here to ask for thoughts about how to compensate the 4 care givers that have helped my sisters and me with the care of my elderly parents. We lost Mamma almost 2 years ago and Pop is still with us. He is 95 and his physical and mental health is rapidly declining. He may very well not be with us before the end of summer.

These ladies have been angels and nothing but professionals in the care they have given my parents. We pay them $14 an hour and they all get 40 hours a week.

I'm of the opinion that if they all stay with us until Pop passes away that we should give around 6 to 12 weeks severance due to the fact that they have always been totally reliable and always given EXCELLENT care.. I'm quite certain these ladies will have no problem moving to another family when the time comes. I just want them to have a bit of a cushion as a bonus until they find some one else to work for. I have 4 sisters and I'm not sure what their thoughts are on this.

 

[aspeck]

Your thinking sounds very good. When it was time for my mom to go to a personal care facility, I had excellent care givers for Mom also. I offered them a couple weeks pay for every year of service if they stayed till we were able to make the necessary arrangements. The fact that they argued with me and didn't want to accept it was proof they were worth every penny.

 

[roscoe]

My first thought is, how wonderfully generous of you.

Second, how lucky you are to have found 4 great caregivers.

My sister does this kind of work, and has had only 2 clients in the last 6 or 7 years.
It is very demanding and takes a toll emotionaly.

I"m sure the severance will be much appreciated.

 

[ehenry]

If it were not for these care givers, Pop would not be able to spend what time he has left at home and to me that is worth every penny they have been paid or what we decide as a severance. I know they have chosen to follow this profession and they know Pop wont be here much longer and are more than likely looking for other families to work for.

I didn't mention in my first post that all 4 of these ladies have been with us for a little over two years.

 

[southkogs]

I think your package sounds very generous and kind. The way you've talked about family over the years lends me to think you've got good workers and a good relationship with them. That confuses the issue sometimes because what is really a business relationship probably feels a little more like part of the family. But then again, it's great to do nice things for folks who've done nice things for you even when it's a business relationship.

 

[jbcurt00]

My moms family was fortunate to find Juanita to sit w her mom after transition to assisted living. Facility was fantastic, and surely contributed to my grandmothers quality of life. But w out Juanita, she probably wouldnt have thrived in that setting for over 9yrs. At nearly 103yrs old, when she passed, Juanita was overwhelmed when the family did similar. The other 2 ladies that helped were great too, but Juanita was special and got the recognition and appreciation she deserved.

God sent angel doesnt come close.

Good on you and yours for seeing how important they've been and offering them severence.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Talk to your 4 sisters, they just may be completely on-board with you.....

 

[ehenry]

I've already talked with my sister closest to me and she is in total agreement. I've no reason to think that the other two will disagree. It will be a total suprise if they do.

 

[aspeck]

Sounds like you have a good plan, and you don't want to loose these saints because they found work elsewhere because of the uncertainty of your dad's condition. Get it okay end with all the sisters then talk with the ladies to let them know your thoughts so they wait till dad has transitioned to eternity, or a care facility away from home, whatever may come. That way the ladies aren't worried and they know they have a few weeks for gainful employment.

 

[redneck joe]

Cash if you can

 

[ehenry]

All ends well that is well.......................Today the caregivers shared their stories of the little things we had no clue about. Pop was fiercely independent and didn't want anyone watching over him......at all.

Each lady told of how they had to 'out wit' Pop at night so he wouldn't think someone was in the house with him over night. One sitter, a petite woman, cleaned out a low cabinet in the dining room that she would get in when Pop was walking the house checking doors and windows.As Pops condition worsened, we put a bed in a sitting room just of Pops bedroom for the ladies and one of them said when she would hear Pop get up and start coming her way with his flash light, she would just roll off the bed then roll under it to keep him from finding her.

They all said when he was outside picking up sticks and what not they would hide behind trees to keep an eye on him or dive off in an azalea hedge to keep him from seeing them.........We were totally amazed that they did this.......We have nothing but love for these ladies and hope they find other families soon.

 

[southkogs]

A real blessing ... what wonderful people. I hope that's all as fun as it kinda' sounds.