http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms1696.pdf is a sample of forms used for claim of funds for taking care of someone on Medicare. For myself, I also note the "waiver" for accepting a fee because the "devoted" financial caretakers often do not sign that waiver. Depending on the nature of family dynamics, much of the transfer of assets in both an informal and formal way will be done by those looking to make a buck off Mama. While the paperwork aspect of caring for the patient includes provision for payment, the actual care-giving by a family member is not compensated for that I know of (if this is the case some references would be helpful). Similarly, insurance policies such as long term care usually specifically exclude provision for compensation for the actual caregiving services by family members. While a sense of duty, obligation, and love often dictates the choice to help with caregiving, the motivation for taking over someone's checkbook is often a lot less clear (or unhappily) is more clear. Having gone through this for many years, regardless of emotions, if I had it to do over again, I would not provide the grunt labor part of caring for a person without the simultaneous authority over the checkbook, period. The reason for this stance is that the person with the checkbook will figure something out and in fact will expose him/herself to liability if he/she is taking financial gain without providing anything at all, and no person should devalue himself based on a false sense of loyalty or obligation while others are being paid.
The same is true regarding wills, executors can take fees, but in days gone by often waived that fee. The psychology of this new profit taking is strained at best and at its worst is a tangled process of seeming "helpers" stepping in to "help." The real helpers are often the ones without the paycheck but the fear of the older person and the reassurances needed that he/she are taken care of persuade more than common sense.
