Latest news and updates on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Little by little, your aging loved one’s needs have evolved, and you may find that you can no longer balance providing the care they need with a full-time job or other responsibilities. Sometimes the best thing is to pay a family member or caregiver to help with activities of daily living, doctor’s appointments, and household chores.
“We don’t want to think about our families as a burden, but caregiving can cause burnout,” says Angela Manz, elder law attorney with Manz Law Firm in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “We need to do whatever we can to lift up our caregivers.”
Learn how a caregiver contract can help your family, along with expert tips to create and manage a legal caregiver agreement.
A caregiver contract — also called a personal care agreement — ensures that all family members are on the same page when it comes to elder care responsibilities. It’s a written contract that’s notarized and signed by all parties.
Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.
A caregiver agreement helps a families by creating a detailed plan with defined expectations and responsibilities. It also helps families avoid conflicts as well as compliance issues with Medicaid in the event assisted living or a nursing home is needed.
A caregiver agreement should include:
It’s a good idea to review the caregiving contract at least once a year, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). If someone is hospitalized, or if a serious medical event occurs, it can be helpful to review the caregiver contract to make sure it reflects current needs and responsibilities.
“The first step is to find an elder law attorney and plan a discussion,” says Manz. “Adding an attorney to your team allows them to draft a contract that fits your specific needs. If a contract is done incorrectly, it may be unfixable or have devastating consequences, especially for Medicaid. It can be time-consuming and cost thousands.”
Ideally, you’ll find a time to meet with a lawyer and all involved family members — even if some attend via phone or video conferencing. To find an experienced elder law attorney in your state, you can use the “Find a Lawyer” tool from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
“A caregiver contract should address more than just care,” says Manz. “You’re managing someone’s life and home by paying bills, balancing checkbooks, shopping for groceries, and scheduling appointments. A lot of responsibility is involved. A caregiver should be reimbursed for their time and expenses.”
It’s important to discuss the following with your family:
While it is an added expense, getting the advice of experienced financial or family experts before you enter a paid caregiving situation may benefit everyone involved.
Manz suggests looking into mediation if families are open to it. “All of the issues people have growing up, like sibling rivalries or heartaches, can come back to life in family discussions, but counseling can help with your frame of mind.”
A mediator can help you have productive conversations and set boundaries. Learn how to find an elder mediator.
An accountant can be helpful, especially for tax implications regarding caregiving contracts, says Manz. It’s important for everyone involved in a personal care agreement to understand what it means for their finances and taxes.
Meet with an accountant to discuss your family’s situation. Their advice can guide you toward making sound financial decisions to help ensure you can afford to pay for continued assistance.
When creating a contract, it’s important to think about financial factors such as Medicaid and taxes for caregivers.
The employer will need to report the caregiver’s compensation on a Form W-2 or 1099. If the caregiver is a family member, they may not owe employment taxes, according to the IRS family caregiver regulations.
The Household Employer’s Tax Guide provides more information about whether or not a caregiver is considered a household employee. It also has information on whether federal employment taxes, such as social security tax and Medicare tax, need to be paid and how to calculate them if so.
Every state in the U.S. has programs that focus on paying caregivers, and many of these programs are available to Medicaid recipients or low-income seniors.
Medicaid is particularly selective when it comes to qualifications for recipients. In addition to federal requirements, each state has their own set of rules and regulations to follow, says Manz. For example, many states do not allow a spouse to be a paid caregiver. Medicaid also regulates compensation for caregivers. Undocumented or incorrect payments could jeopardize your loved one’s chance at qualifying for coverage at an assisted living community in the future.
Consider speaking with an experienced attorney who specializes in Medicaid to see what requirements may apply to your situation and in your state.
There are unfortunate instances when a family member can no longer provide full-time care.
Consider these solutions:
Sources:
American Bar Association. Creating effective agreements for payment of family caregivers: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_aging/publications/bifocal/vol_37/issue_3_february2016/creating-effective-caregiver-agreements/
Shepherd Elder Law. Getting paid as a family caregiver through Medicaid: https://shepherdelderlaw.com/getting-paid-as-a-family-caregiver-through-medicaid-2/
Merritt Whitely is an editor at A Place for Mom. She developed health content for seniors at Hearing Charities of America and the National Hearing Aid Project. She’s also managed multiple print publications, blogs, and social media channels for seniors as the marketing manager at Sertoma, Inc.
A Place for Mom is paid by our participating communities, therefore our service is offered at no charge to families. Copyright © 2020 A Place for Mom, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy & Terms. Do Not Sell My Personal Information.