(코리아타운 뉴스) Reborn as a Caregiver

There are 2,766 Korean-American caregivers in Southern California
Monthly earning is $2,500 for looking after three patients

So-ja Lee (pseudonym), who is in her early 60s, has worked at supermarket’s taste testing section in Los Angeles Koreatown for a long time. A few years ago, she decided that working there was no longer sustainable due to health reasons.

“My health was starting to deteriorate, because the air conditioning at the market was too strong,” Lee said. “There weren’t many other employment opportunities at my age, but I learned about the caregiver job not too long after.”

Lee is currently looking after three patients and is earning around $2,500. The interest among those seeking employment in potentially starting a career as a caregiver has been rising at a rapid rate in recent years. The profession is especially popular among middle-aged Korean-American women, as qualifications for the job remain minimal.

SEIU, a union for care workers, say that there are 168,500 caregiver in Southern California. Among them, 2,766 are Korean-Americans.

“The U.S. population is aging and there’s an increase in the number of people who need caregivers,” said SEIU member Susan Kim. “There are more Korean-American caregivers than before now. The number has been increasing for four to five years.”

Most Korean-American caregivers are females in their 50s or 60s, according to the L.A.-based Korean Care Workers Association. Kim, who is the organization’s president, said,

“Even those in their 30s and 40s have recently been flocking into this profession as employment is becoming more difficult now.”

Below are details of what the caregiver job entails, according to Kim and information provided by SEIU.


Qualification

-What do caregivers do?
Through the government-operated In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS), a caregiver often looks after an elderly person of older than 65 in age, who may have difficulties moving on his or her own. Duties may vary depending on the patient, but it can range from cleaning the house to bathing and/or driving the patient to becoming a conversation partner for the patient while watching television.

-Does a caregiver need to be certified?
No. All it takes is three to four hours of orientation when the job first starts, followed by a background check.

-Is there an age limit for one to work as a caregiver?
No. Most caregivers are in their 50s and 60s, but some are also in their 30s and 40s. Anyone who is capable of providing care for a patient may be eligible.


A caregiver’s wages and benefits

-How many hours does a caregiver work in a month?
The maximum is 266 hours a month. However, 266 hours may be unattainable unless the caregiver is looking after an entire family. It is advised to keep work hours to 240 hours a month or less, as regular overtime hours may prompt a government audition.

-Do caregiver get paid additionally for working overtime?
Yes. As with most of the other professions, time on the job beyond 160 hours a month triggers a 150 percent increase in pay. An hourly wage of a caregiver is $11 as of today, which is an increase from last February when it was just $9.65. In other words, the hourly wage would rise to $16.5 once the time on the job surpasses 160 hours.

-Do caregivers get additional benefits?
Yes. Those who work at least 73 hours a month will receive health insurance for just $1. Other benefits include discount on dental and eye treatment. Additionally, a caregiver can join the union, which also provides many benefits.


Union benefits

-What are the benefits of joining the union?
Most importantly, the union will negotiate the wages for you. The increase to $11 in hourly pay was made possible by the union. The union’s members may also receive other benefits, including scholarships for their children. AT&T Wireless also gives 15 percent discount for unionized caregivers, while businesses such as Best Buy, Ross, Macy’s and Restaurant.com provide similar perks. Keep in mind that the union requires a monthly fee of $30.66 from every member.

-How many caregivers are in the union?
About half of Korean-American caregivers are currently in the union. Among the 2,735 Korean-American caregivers, 1,318 have joined the union.
How to become a caregiver

-What does one need to do to become a caregiver?
The first step is to find a patient to work for. The current system stipulates that the patient must choose to hire the caregiver, not the other way around. It’s also important to make sure that the patient is deemed by the government as someone who needs a caregiver. Once that is in place, the caregiver must contact the patient’s social worker and submit an application. When approved, the caregiver must go through the orientation and send in his or her biometrics.

-Can a caregiver attain eligibility to work before finding a patient?
Yes. There is a weekly orientation for those interested in starting out at 9 a.m. on every Tuesday. All participants must bring their social security cards (both originals and copies). If finding a patient is difficult, you may contact the Korean Care Workers Association.


Korean Care Workers Association

-My English is poor. Can I listen to the instructions in Korean?
Basic information is available in Korean on the SEIU website (www.seiu2015.org). SEIU also provides a Korean-language service for those who call (855-810-2015, press 7 when the automatic voice instructions begin). Contacting the Korean Care Workers Association may also give you an opportunity to receive more detailed information.

-What does the Korean Care Workers Association do and when are its meetings?
The meeting is held on the second week of every month on Wednesdays at the SEIU’s L.A. office (2910 Beverly Blvd.). The members often share job information and there are also seminars to keep everyone informed.


By Soo Yeon Oh