If there is anything that’s driving us all crazy right now, it’s money, which does seem a bit nuts since our health should be the first order of business.
But let’s be honest. As much as we are trying our best to stay healthy (I know you’re washing your hands that now feel like sandpaper, you’re staying home as much as you can and wondering why you chose these people as your cellmates), many of us are a bit consternated about the cash.
So, in the spirit of caregiving, which started this whole blog and caring for all my caregivers out there, I want to show you something that might help.
Below is a copy of a caregiver’s agreement. This is a way for you to get paid while taking care of your grandma, your uncle, your neighbor who has no one else, or your mother-in-law. I know. I know. You don’t want to be opportunistic at a time like this. But here’s the thing. I recently read from the great Seth Godin, this may not be the time for giving all you have away for free. I am certain most of you are giving of your time and perhaps money right now to very good and necessary causes. That is commendable in every way. But for those of you who are caregiving and have now become jobless. This is something you should consider, especially if the one you care for can afford your services.
It doesn’t matter that you have been caring for free up until now. It doesn’t matter that you are related to this person. What matters now is that we all hold our heads above water, that we all help each other stay less anxious, and that we all work to keep the ship aright. And so I say, if that means, even temporarily you institute a caregiving agreement that allows for the caregiver to be paid, you should do so and do so now.
There are a million scenarios where this makes sense:
- Someone has lost their paid caregiver and you are now at home with your caree to help….. but you are working from home
- Your loved one needs care but you don’t want them to be around others who can’t quarantine so you are keeping them with you
- You have been in charge of their care, but now you are the caregiver
- Someone has just newly needed care and you cannot find care, or you want to protect them
- Your spouse has lost her/his job and you have been a stay-at-home unpaid caregiver and need to be paid now to keep a roof over everyone’s head, including the caree
And the list really could be endless. The second part of Seth Godin’s blog said this:
Gifts create connection and possibility, but not all gifts have monetary value. In fact, some of the most important gifts involve time, effort and care instead.
AND THEN THIS:
In this moment when we’re so disconnected and afraid, the answer might not be a freebie. That might simply push us further apart. The answer might be showing up to do the difficult work of connection, of caring and of extending ourselves where it’s not expected.
He literally said, caring. If ever there was a time to help unpaid caregivers get paid, this is it. I have put the agreement here, click on the red words below. If you want me to email you a copy, just send me a message at cathy.sikorski@gmail.com and I will send you a copy.
Stay healthy, stay safe and believe it or not, stay laughing!
