My Short Life as a Live in Caregiver

When I left high school and was looking around for a job and a place to live since I was living with my mother, I immediately thought of being a live in caregiver since I was already starting out in the medical field already and I thought, "Wow. How cool would that be? I could go shopping whenever I wanted!" HAHA. Little did I know then. My mother just wanted me to save all that money and start paying off my bills. Smart mother huh?

I never really took a position as a live in caregiver because I knew it would take up all my time and I had a life back then. Fast forward fifteen or so years and I'm now thirty-four. And I am a live in caregiver. It sucks. When I took the position, I was already burnt out working in the health care field for twenty years or so and I was ready to take on a different arena in my career, but as you know you can't get a job without experience. But where does experience come from? Thin air?

When I finally took the job I really had no choice and really no other options unless I wanted to move to Los Angeles with my brother and sister which scared the crap outa me since I do not have a car and you basically have to have one in order to survive there, or at least so I've heard. Back to this job. I knew I wouldn't have any free time to myself but this is ridiculous to say the least True, I'm not paying any rent and I get a meager salary. That does not really concern me at the moment. What is frustrating to me is that the family expects me to take care of her night and day and go to school at the same time. And yes, I'm only taking two classes; one online and one on campus, [Had to take online so I could be near my patient]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Nona, that's grandmother in Italian, but I can't do everything on my own. They want me to take care of the dog, do all the housework, cook all the meals, and do school and that's with homework included. Doesn't seem like much, but it seriously takes up your whole day, and they never want me to have a day off. Correction...they do. They say that they want me to take some 'me' time and take some time off but when it actually comes down to it? I always have to cancel plans or I end up arguing for the much needed time off. How can I yell at my employers and get away with it? I'm like family. But don't get me wrong, I have never and will never take advantage of that fact but they look out for me like I look out for their mother.

And so in the end, I can never leave because A, I have money to pay bills which I mostly spend on clothes anyway and B, they are the closest family I've got and C, I just cannot leave the dog. I would be heartbroken if I had to leave the dog and I will be heartbroken because eventually I will have to leave this family that has generously welcomed me into their home and lifestyle.

So, would I recommend being paid to look take care of the elderly in their home twenty four hours a day, seven days a week? Sure....if you lived your whole life on a computer or you are just a social misfit like me. The money is great and you get to do whatever the heck you want. So long as it is inside the four walls of the house. Below is a list of the pros and cons of being a caregiver who lives with their patient.

Pros:

No Rent

Money is great if you negotiate

Private bedroom (sometimes you have to haggle for it)

Work is minimal (depends on how big or small the house is)

Did I say no rent?

Gain experience in the medical field with very little effort

Cons:

No Life to speak of whatsoever

Consider their religion and whether you would have to participate in those activities

Consider the family. Can you honestly say you can live with them 24/7?