Entrusting your Caregiver with Money

At YouMeCare we spend time ensuring that your caregiver is a perfect match for you and your family's needs. We value helping you connect with a caregiver you can rely on and trust. Regardless of the strong relationship you develop with your caregiver, it is important to follow a process that both you and your caregiver agree to if money is changing hands. For example, it is a very common practice for a caregiver to pick up groceries or medications at the pharmacy on your behalf. Before giving your caregiver your money for this kind of assistance, there are a few steps to keep in mind to protect yourself and preserve an ethical, trusting relationship with your caregiver:

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• Communicate your intentions. Let your caregiver know that you would like them to go run errands on your behalf. Be clear about the day, time and location you’d like them to go and the items you’d like them to purchase. Be sure to clarify if they would be willing to use your money to purchase what you need.  

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• Ask for their permission and level of comfort with taking your money. It is important to recognize that giving your caregiver cash, or your credit or debit card relays that you trust them to use your resources responsibly. Be sure that your caregiver is comfortable with taking your money and that you clearly relay your expectations for how that money should be spent. 

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• Respect your caregivers' decision. If your caregiver does not feel comfortable taking your cash, credit or debit cards perhaps you can brainstorm alternative options such as asking them to assist you in purchasing what you need online or asking if you could reimburse them for the money they spend on you. 

• Discuss receipts and reimbursements. Ask your caregiver to save all receipts so that you can document each transaction. You might designate a notebook or ledger of some sort or create a digital document that you can add to and keep track of details such as the date and location of the errand, and the amount of money you gave to your caregiver for that errand.  

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• Document your agreements. In addition to documenting the details of each time you give your caregiver your money to spend on your behalf, also document that your caregiver agreed to carry out what you have asked so that you can avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings. 

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No matter how small a favor, it is important to realize that money is changing hands if you ask your caregiver to purchase something on your behalf. To maintain your supportive relationship, it is important that you are both organized and transparent so that you can account for every penny should questions arise.

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