Agreeing with a Live-in Caregiver: 10 Points to Settle

Most caregiver disputes come not from bad faith but from expectations never discussed. Families who settle these 10 points in the first interview and in a written agreement get through both the first month and the last day smoothly.

1–5: Working arrangements

• Salary and payday: exact amount, which day, which channel. Put the raise cycle (e.g. yearly) in writing from the start.
• Weekly day off: at least one full day is standard in live-in care; covering that day is the family's plan, not the caregiver's.
• Daily rest: a live-in caregiver is not on duty 24 hours; frequent night wake-ups (dementia, toilet assistance) should be reflected in pay.
• Task boundaries: elderly care or housework? List cooking, cleaning and shopping item by item — avoid vague phrases like 'household chores'.
• Trial period: 2–4 weeks is healthy for both sides; agree the notice terms during the trial.

6–10: Living and protection

• Room and board: a private room is standard; agree whether food comes from the family and how the kitchen is shared.
• Social security and insurance: in Turkey, household workers over 10 days/month must be registered with SGK (simplified Ek-9 filing); it protects both sides against workplace accidents.
• Health transparency: share diagnoses, medications and behaviours (night wandering, swallowing difficulty) upfront — a heavier picture discovered later is the most common reason for leaving.
• Communication rhythm: daily short message or weekly call? With AileYanımda, measurements and medication tracking are visible in the app, cutting the 'how was today' traffic.
• Exit terms: notice period for both sides (e.g. 2 weeks), final pay calculation and handover (medication list, routine notes) in writing.

How to write it down

A long legal document is not required; a one-page list signed by both sides prevents most disputes. Verified references on AileYanımda profiles and the in-platform message history are records that protect both parties. For current pay ranges, see our city-by-city guide.