SITES FOR FINDING, OR OFFERING, CHILD AND ELDER CARE
People are living longer and getting married and having kids later in life. That presents opportunities for caregivers, as well as challenges for people seeking care. A handful of sites help both caregivers and care seekers find what they’re looking for.
Millennials are not the first generation to postpone marriage and childbirth. The average age at which women have their first child has been rising steadily for decades and is now at 30 — up from 21 in the 1970s, according to the U.S. census. That means the average woman is 60 when she has her first grandchild. Fathers — and grandfathers — trend even older.
The effects on caregiving work and the need for caregivers have been dramatic. That’s mainly because grandparents are important caregivers, with nearly 60 percent providing at least part-time care for their grandkids. But starting a family at an older age means that grandparents are less likely — and often less able — to provide care. Indeed, many need care themselves, looking to their children for help. This “sandwich generation” often needs caregivers for their parents and their kids at the same time.
Types of care
This trend has dramatically
boosted pay for caregivers. At one time, for instance, baby-sitters earned less than minimum wage. Today, the average hourly wage for a baby-sitter is over $20. And while teens might still charge just $15 per hour, adult baby-sitters often set their rates at $30 or more. Caregivers for elderly clients charge between $17 and $50 per
hour, depending on their credentials and the level of care required.
Meanwhile, as the demand for care has burgeoned, the market for offering and seeking care has fragmented. The best places to find a baby-sitter for a night out differ from the best places to find someone to transport your child to and from school or activities, for
instance.
When seeking or providing care for the elderly, the best place to list — or look — depends on whether the client needs medical help or simply wants aid with transportation, shopping or household chores.
Here’s a rundown of the best