Carers' salaries

[Blueberrycreampie]

We have employed carers for over 10 years now on a full time live in basis, for both my fil and now mil. Originally it was through an agency but after a few years we negotiated and employed them ourselves. One of the original carers is still with us and works 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off.

We have had a number of carers filling in for Susan (not her real name), and they have lasted from 3 weeks to 2 years. Although MIL is very elderly and incapacitated, she is still in reasonable health so this could go on for years? In that time, carers' wages have doubled and some carers are asking ridiculous amounts of money (IMO). MIL's savings are running out and she will not consider selling her large house to free up money.

Is anyone else in this situation and finding that carers are demanding a lot of money for the job they actually do. It works out about £50,000 a year!

So you think it's fine for them to sit on their arses scrolling on their phone while they sit with dirty washing up piled around? I don not. And as a nurse no one has ever paid my parking or meals. Families who use direct payments fight very hard for every hour of those payments and there are no allowances for carer meals or parking etc. These families, my own included are fucking exhausted. If you work in a domestic setting where your client/patient lives then you help out with chores. I would NEVER sit on my backside doing nothing if I was getting paid and there was stuff to be done. Maybe it's a generation thing. I do not think it's acceptable

@Opp what does a person's generation have to do with anything?

I completely understand the never ending exhaustion from caring and having to fight for the slightest bit of support. But I can also get the resentment a paid carer would feel if their client's family expected them to do general housework that doesn't specifically relate to their client. It shows a disrespect for their profession.

But I agree that it is unacceptable to be scrolling on a phone while being paid to care for someone. If the caree is asleep then work can always be found, training downloaded, support to be offered to the household.

They aren't the family servants.

What does his care and support plan say they should be doing? As you say, you have had to fight for every hour of care and support he is provided with, so what does his care plan say they are there to do for those hours?

perhaps ask social services to do a review and explain to them that half the time you are watching carers having very little to do as your son is able to get on with m things independently.

I'm sure they will oblige in doing a review and ensuring that the carers are only there when absolutely needed by your son. If all he needs is supervision at those times and you are providing that anyway.... why are the carers even there?

I can guarantee they won't amend the care plan to specify the care staff have to wash up after Opp and family and do Opp's family laundry though.

I understood average rates if you were engaging them directly was approx £20 per hour London weighting; £15 per hour out of London.

If you go via an agency, agency will charge you (out of London) between £37 - £55 per hour, and pay the individual minimum wage (£10? ish) - £12. so in both persons interests to engage directly.

if you go via social services it was if you have to pay (but may be out of date now) £19 an hour.

Does she really need live in care?