When you hire an elderly caregiver, there are many details to go over and things to discuss with your family, as ultimately you need to agree on the best strategy for how care should be provided for your loved one. Creating a comprehensive elderly care contract allows you, your loved one and your caregiver to know what to expect from each other.
Below is a list of items that we recommend including in your elderly care contract.
What Your Elderly Care Contract Should Include
1. Start date
2. Worksite address
3. Work schedule
Should encompass all 7 days of the week with start and end times as well as the total daily and weekly hours the caregiver will work.
4. Job responsibilities
Should include a detailed checklist of what the caregiver will be expected to do while on the clock. Examples include personal care duties, meal preparation, and transportation responsibilities.
5. Compensation
Should include the caregiver’s hourly rate of pay, overtime rate of pay, and total weekly compensation. You should also let the caregiver know if they will be paid weekly or bi-weekly.
6. Additional payment items
These include whether you will reimburse for miles driven on the job or cover certain expenses for your caregiver, such as public transportation, parking, or mobile phone usage.
7. Tax withholding and reporting
Let your caregiver know you will be deducting their tax and national insurance contributions, and paying them to the tax office.
8. Paid time off
Should include any paid sick leave and/or paid holiday days you plan on giving to your caregiver.
9. Holidays
Should include a list of paid and unpaid holidays your caregiver will have off.
10. Termination policy
List the circumstances in which your caregiver can be fired so they know what is unacceptable while caring for your loved one.
11. Social media policy
Describe what an appropriate use of social media is while on the job and whether your caregiver is allowed to share photos of your loved one.
12. Pay rises and reviews
Let your caregiver know when their job performance will be reviewed and when they are eligible for a pay rise.
13. Rules and expectations
This should be an addendum further explaining your loved one’s physical and/or mental medical diagnosis, any impairments they may have, what medications they take, what the policy for visitors is, and other aspects related to how care is provided.
14. Daily schedule
Describe what a typical day should ideally look like along with what times certain medications should be taken.
Once all parties are satisfied with the details in your elderly care contract, print out two copies, sign both, and ask your new caregiver to do the same. Each of you should keep a copy.
