Live-in caregivers provide around-the-clock care and support to individuals who need assistance with daily living activities. It can be a demanding—but also incredibly rewarding job.
Many people considering this line of work often wonder about the nuances of the position. For example, “Do live-in caregivers get paid to sleep?” is a common question. The short answer is that the phrase “sleep time” is a bit relative.
Read on to learn more about the realities surrounding live-in caregiver sleep and compensation.
How Are Live-In Caregivers Paid?
Live-in caregivers are typically paid a daily rate, also called “per diem.” This means you receive a set amount for each 24-hour period you work, regardless of how many hours you’re actively engaged in caregiving tasks. Since your daily rate covers the entire 24-hour period, sleep time is factored into that compensation.
You should receive an agreed-upon period of uninterrupted rest time (often around 8 hours per night). However, remember that disruptions are possible due to your client’s needs. Understanding this ensures potential caregivers approach the role with realistic expectations about compensation and responsibilities.
Live-In Caregiver Responsibilities During Sleep Time
Here are some specific tasks you may be required to do during the night:
- Responding to Calls for Assistance: Your client may awaken to use the restroom or need assistance if they experience pain or disorientation.
- Providing Medication: Some clients need medication in the middle of the night, whether on a specific timetable or to address urgent issues like pain flare-ups.
- Safety Checks: You may need to get up periodically to ensure your client is safe. This can involve ensuring that potential fall hazards are eliminated or checking that they are breathing properly.
- Addressing Confusion or Disorientation: Clients with conditions like dementia may become confused during the night and try to get out of bed. Therefore the caregiver needs to reassure them that everything is fine and help them get back into bed safely.
- Light Housekeeping: Tasks like tidying up medical supplies or organizing the client’s bedroom can improve safety and ease daytime duties.
- Repositioning: Shifting a client’s position throughout the night helps prevent bed sores and comforts them.
- Addressing Incontinence: Some clients may need assistance changing undergarments or dealing with incontinence at night.
It’s essential to approach your sleep time responsibility with an understanding that some disruptions are normal. You and your client (or the caregiving agency you work through) should balance adequate rest for you while meeting all of the client’s overnight needs.
Benefits Beyond Base Pay
At Georgetown Home Care, we’re committed to supporting our caregivers with comprehensive benefits and continuous professional development.
- Enhanced Pay Structure: We offer a competitive salary structure that stands out in the regional market. There are even opportunities for a pay rate increase as you gain experience.
- Efficient Job Matching: Our process for assigning caregivers to new cases is streamlined and quick. We strive to reduce waiting times for our staff, aiming to place them in suitable positions shortly after they submit their application, which minimizes any employment gaps.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy: Our PTO policy provides ample sick leave and vacation time. This gives caregiving staff sufficient rest periods to prevent fatigue as well as the opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones. Our goal is to ensure that employees feel mentally and physically refreshed so that they can excel in providing compassionate care each day.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: We provide eligible staff with robust health insurance including medical, dental, and vision plans. This supports their physical and financial wellness. We also offer a 401(k) matching program contributing up to 5% of retirement savings.
- Retirement Savings Support: We match employee 401(k) contributions up to 5% to help bolster retirement savings. This serves as an incentive that encourages saving for long-term financial security after employment.
- Commitment to Professional Growth: We invest in our staff’s professional development with monthly online continuing education. These classes allow our caregivers to gain credits for licensing requirements and stay atop industry standards.
Is a Live-In Caregiver Position Right for You?
As a live-in caregiver, you have the profound privilege of bettering someone’s life every day. Your compassionate support makes a real difference. However, taking on round-the-clock care also demands exceptional flexibility and resilience.
Georgetown Home Care strives to help our clients remain independent in their homes while providing great-paying jobs for our employees. We welcome passionate individuals to join our team’s mission of delivering compassionate care that significantly enhances our client’s quality of life.