Are You Having Trouble Finding
Paid Help?
by Sheryl Karas M.A.
Most caregivers in Santa Cruz report trouble in finding qualified paid caregivers to take care of their relatives. All the nursing homes and in-home support agencies report similar difficulties. In fact, we appear to be in the midst of an insurmountable crisis in caregiver support in this city. . . but is this the whole picture?
Most of my clients do not need skilled nursing care for their relative—they just need respite, someone to be with their relative and keep them safe while they take a break or go to the grocery store. They need someone with the ability to follow directions, make a lunch, wash some dishes, take the patient for a walk, or sit and read a book while the patient takes a nap. Everybody wants an experienced person with credentials but what many people really need is a "patient-sitter."
One of my clients has had no trouble finding the help she needs. She hires college students to take her mom to her physical therapy appointments, do some light housework, run errands, or simply sit and do schoolwork in the living room so her mom will not be alone when she needs help getting up from a chair or going to the bathroom. She can leave her mother for long periods and gets all the respite she needs, knowing that in an emergency someone with the ability to call for help will be there. Her college students know nothing about dementia but they learn quickly. She borrows books and videos from the Alzheimer's Association to teach them what they have to know. It's not perfect - some people don't work out - and she's lucky that her mother is not combative and seems to enjoy the company. She's also not able to find one person for all the times she needs help - she's had to hire several who are available for different days and times. It's a lot more work than simply hiring an agency; but the payoff has been terrific.
The going rate for hiring a "patient-sitter" is $8-12/hour, depending on experience. Is it worth it? Well. . . was it worth it to hire a teenager with even less life experience to babysit when you wanted a night out then? If you are willing to take the time to provide training it will be safe enough and well worth the effort.
For those able and willing to take advantage of it, there's a large relatively untapped market for caregiver support. To hire a college student from UCSC, call the University's Student Employment Office and Career Center at 459-4420. To hire a student from Cabrillo College, call their Student Employment office at 479-6413.
Other Sources of Paid Caregivers
Experienced Respite Care—Senior Network Services maintains a Respite Registry of professional self-employed paid caregivers. Call 462-0880 for more information.
Mature Women—Displaced homemakers and other women attempting to re-enter the workplace after raising their families often make good caregivers. The Walnut Avenue Women's Center in Santa Cruz (426-3062) maintains a job resource center and bulletin board where you could advertise for assistance. You might also contact the Women's Centers at UCSC (459-2072) and Cabrillo College (479-6249).
Church Members—Put a flyer on the bulletin board or post a notice in the church bulletin.
Retired Persons—Advertise in publications seniors read or post a flyer in mobile home parks, retirement communities, senior centers, or libraries.
Caregiving Articles
© Copyright 2007 Sheryl Karas & Paul Hood
A new version of this article can be found in Sheryl’s latest book The Spiritual Journey of Family Caregiving.
Caregiving Articles