There are certain requirements that live-in aides must meet to receive a job. The person must not be financially dependent on the Family member who needs their care, and they must not live in the unit except to provide the necessary supportive services. If possible, the individual must obtain verification from a reliable professional stating that they are willing to provide the required support services and will have access to the unit and the Program. Additionally, the person must undergo a criminal background screening.
Depending on the type of disability, a live-in aide may qualify for an occupancy lease. If the individual is disabled or elderly, they may qualify as a live-in aide. If the individual is not disabled, however, the live-in aide may be a legitimate household member. A landlord should ensure that the aide does not convert into a household member and should add an addendum to the lease that states the tenant retains the right to evict the individual.
A live-in aide is not the same as a home health care aide. This person does not work full time in a hospital, but rather is employed by a home health care agency. Although the person working for the home health care agency will not be employed by the hospital, he or she will provide the individual with ongoing support in the form of physical and emotional support. The individual receiving live-in aide care can stay in their own home for a longer time, allowing them to remain independent and productive.
A live-in aide may also be a family member of the disabled tenant. This relative may live with the disabled tenant for as long as the person needs them. However, adult children of the disabled tenant are not eligible to move into the housing unit without a live-in aide. Likewise, if the live-in aide is the only reason to reside in the unit, the relative may qualify. The PHA may also have certain additional requirements that a live-in aide may meet.
When the tenant requests a live-in aide, he or she should first confirm that the person requesting it needs it. The landlord must also verify that the live-in aide is essential to the tenant’s care. Although landlords cannot ask the applicant for confidential medical records, he or she may ask for income verifications for both spouses. Once the applicant has received the certification, the landlord can then start the interview process.
A live-in aide must be certified by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The aide must be in good health to be a successful live-in aide. Live-in aides are not expected to work 24 hours a day. Many live-ins require them to be home all the time for safety reasons. If this is the case, the landlord must find alternative caregivers to cover for the live-in aide when the aide is not present at the house.
As part of the Fair Housing Act and HUD guidelines, landlords must verify that the live-in aide is indeed a dependent for the resident. A disability must be verified before the aide can live in the unit other than to provide the requisite support services. Additionally, the aide should not be an organization or group that is affiliated with the disabled person’s needs. Despite these requirements, the landlord can still refuse the request.
A live-in service is especially helpful for people with Alzheimer’s or other degenerative conditions who are unable to get up on their own. A live-in aide can provide added safety during evening hours when wandering and falls are most common. In addition, a live-in aide can work around the patient’s schedule, so a live-in service is often a better choice than assisted living. In addition to being a better alternative, live-in services are more affordable than assisted living.
While live-in care is largely a private expense, seniors can reduce the cost by maximizing the assets they already have. Some seniors choose to employ a caregiver by hiring an agency. The caregiver should be a driver with a valid license, be willing to travel a long distance, and accompany the senior to medical appointments or grocery shopping. If possible, the caregiver should be available around the clock to provide assistance. If a senior’s needs are extreme, live-in care is not always covered by Medicare or Medicaid.