Cost for private elder companion, part time help?

[Anonymous]

Out of state elderly relative in CA (Bay Area) needs 1-2 hours a day assistance with daily living, e.g., ordering groceries, paying bills, driving to doctor appointments, simple meal prep, etc. this would likely be done by a family friend who is not a trained home health aide and not from an agency, with whom the elderly person is comfortable. Any suggestions for going rate for this? I’m aware of the need for payroll taxes similar to a nanny. Any other considerations I’m missing? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I'd ask what she wants
What makes it worth her while
then add 10%, and add in any other expenses.
You have your rate.

[Anonymous]

Pay them whatever they want, actually finding someone to do that job is 90% of the battle. Give them plenty of gifts of appreciation. Increase their rate as she demands more care.

[Anonymous]

The hardest thing is finding someone for only 1-2 hours a day. I'd pay 30/hr at least. We have someone doing this in a LCOL area and pay 24. But california....

[Anonymous]

It is SO hard to find a competent person like this. If this person is trusted and willing to work this very part time schedule I would suggest paying them top dollar so you they want to stay for as long as the relative needs.

[Anonymous]

$30-$40/hr. You are very lucky to be able find someone who will do 1-2 hours a day. I’d probably pay $100/day.

[Anonymous]

I would do a background check before hiring someone for this kind of work.

[Anonymous]

My parents pay $30/hr for this in the DC Metro area. It's through a small company and they get a rotation of different helpers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents pay $30/hr for this in the DC Metro area. It's through a small company and they get a rotation of different helpers.

^PP. Posted before I fully read the post.

My parents have 2 different types of helpers come in. The $30/hr person comes twice a week and helps with household stuff (PT exercises, straightening up, dishes, etc).

They have a different person that comes in to help them with bills, doctor's appointments, computer issues, etc. They pay her $60/hr. She does not come on a regular schedule more on an as needed basis.

[Anonymous]

$500 a week. Some days (like doctors appointments) will be longer than 2 hours.

[Anonymous]

Op here — this is about what I expected, thank you. Agree we are very lucky there is someone willing to do this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here — this is about what I expected, thank you. Agree we are very lucky there is someone willing to do this!

And make sure they're not taking advantage... because that happens, more often than you think.

[Anonymous]

We pay $20/hr but the companion requires at least 3 hr stretches to make it worth her while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents pay $30/hr for this in the DC Metro area. It's through a small company and they get a rotation of different helpers.

^PP. Posted before I fully read the post.

My parents have 2 different types of helpers come in. The $30/hr person comes twice a week and helps with household stuff (PT exercises, straightening up, dishes, etc).

They have a different person that comes in to help them with bills, doctor's appointments, computer issues, etc. They pay her $60/hr. She does not come on a regular schedule more on an as needed basis.

Would you be willing to share the name of this company?

[Anonymous]

What ever you pay don’t forget to keep supervising the cash flow.