Become a caregiver for family members.

When your loved one is no longer able to care for themselves, it can be an emotional and confusing time. You may find yourself wondering how to help them and what you need to do to make sure they are safe and cared for while they recover.

As a caregiver, there are some things that you need to know about taking care of your family member:

1) Do not feel guilty about helping your loved one. They would want you to take care of them if they were able to do so themselves.

2) Keep a schedule so that you know what needs to be done throughout the day/night and who needs which medications or treatments at what times (this will help keep everyone organized).

3) If possible, hire someone else who knows how to handle tasks like bathing or dressing with ease so that your loved one does not have any trouble with these activities when they are feeling better again; this will also give them more privacy and comfort while they recover from their illness or injury!

How To Become Caregiver For Family Member

Serving as a caregiver for a family member is an extremely rewarding experience. Not only do you get to spend time with your loved one, you also have the opportunity to ensure they receive the best quality care possible. As primary caregiver, you don’t have to worry about outside help that may not be sympathetic or attentive in caring for your loved one.

Unfortunately, being a caregiver for a family member comes at a cost. Caregivers often have to significantly reduce their number of hours working outside the home or leave their jobs entirely in order to provide quality care for their loved one. This means that caregivers are spending hours assisting loved ones with daily tasks, cooking meals, taking them to appointments, ensuring their safety and well-being, and providing companionship, but are not being compensated for their time.

The Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 AARP Research Report highlighted that 1 in 5 caregivers report high financial strain as a result of caregiving. 3 in 10 have stopped saving, and 1 in 4 have taken on more debt.

Caregivers can lose a great deal of income as they care for their loved ones, yet they often have to pay for caregiving expenses out of their own pockets. According to the AARP report, family caregivers spend about 20% of their income on costs associated with caregiving.

Family caregivers need to know their options for financial assistance while taking care of their loved ones. Here are a few steps you can take to be compensated for caregiving:

1. Determine your eligibility for Medicaid’s Self-Directed Services
2. Opt into a home and community-based services program
3. Determine whether your loved one is eligible for Veterans Aid
4. Determine whether your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy that provides for caregiver compensation
5. Determine whether your company offers paid leave for caregivers
6. Determine whether your family is willing to pay you for your caregiving time

If you need to become a paid caregiver, look into the following possibilities for caregiver compensation.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility for Medicaid’s Self-Directed Services Programs

If your loved one is eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to receive financial aid from the Self-Directed Medicaid Services programs.  According to Medicaid.gov, states have several options for providing Medicaid enrollees with the option to self-direct Medicaid services under the state plan and waiver programs. This option is available in some form in most states. It is important to note that the names of self-directed services programs vary from state to state. Self-directed services programs provide people with disabilities, including older adult citizens, the option to manage a budget and determine how to use their money to pay for goods and services directly relating to their personal care needs. When enrolled in one of these waiver programs or other self-directed options, program participants may use their allotted budget to hire and pay for caregivers. To determine your family member’s eligibility for self-directed services available in your state, contact your local Medicaid office.

Step 2: Opt into a Home and Community-Based Services Program

Many older adults are eligible to opt into a home and community-based services program (HCBS). HCBS programs, such as services provided by Caregiver Homes, deliver ongoing support and care oversight to assist caregivers while providing them with a tax-free daily stipend to make the financial burden of caregiving easier to bear.

These programs are typically available to Medicaid beneficiaries who receive in-home care. They often are available to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illnesses as well as older adults. The guidance and financial assistance HCBS programs reduce the financial burden on caregivers and while enabling them to learn and improve at providing quality care.

Step 3: Determine Whether Your Loved One Is Eligible for Veterans Aid

In the United States, some veterans can enroll in a Veteran Directed Care Program (previously known as Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services programs). This program empowers veterans to manage their own care, which may include hiring and paying for in-home caregivers. Another option for veterans who require in-home care is a benefit known as Aid and Attendance. This benefit may be used to cover assisted living, nursing home, and in-home care costs including paying family caregivers.

In many cases, your loved one must need assistance with activities of daily living and fall in line with income and asset guidelines. If you need more assistance in determining your loved one’s eligibility for these veterans benefits, contact your local Veterans Affairs office or your local veterans service organization.

Step 4: Determine Whether Your Loved One Has a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy That Provides for Caregiver Compensation

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, some long-term care insurance policies do include provisions for paying a family member who provides care. If you can determine whether your loved one has such a policy, you need to find out if caregiver payment is among the benefits. If you need clarification about your loved one’s long-term health insurance policy, contact the agent or the insurance company and ask about the caregiver payment benefit.

Step 5: Determine Whether Your Company Offers Paid Leave for Caregivers

As more families require at least one member to serve as a caregiver for aging parents, companies are realizing the need to assist employees with paid leave. If you find yourself serving as a caregiver to a family member while you are employed, your company may offer an elder care program or benefit. Companies like Intel and Sun Life are allowing up to 8-16 weeks of paid leave for caregiving employees. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found in 2018 that just 16% of private-industry employees had access to paid family leave through their employers, and 88% had access to unpaid family leave.

Step 6: Determine Whether Your Family is Willing to Pay You for Your Caregiving Time

Considering the amount of money you are saving your loved one and the rest of the family by serving as the primary caregiver, you are well within your rights to ask your loved one or other family members if they will compensate you for your time. Chances are, the family would be paying out of pocket for a home health aide, which the Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports carries a monthly median cost of $4,576 per month. To protect yourself and your family, meet with an attorney to draft a contract to explicitly state your work and payment schedule. This contract may be used later in the event your loved one needs to apply for Medicaid or enter an assisted living facility or nursing home.

It’s vital that you know your loved one’s eligibility for various government programs, insurance policy benefits, employee benefits, and family payment options if you hope to become a paid caregiver for a family member. To help you navigate the options available to you, we’ve put together a step-by-step, state-by-state guide to help you obtain financial assistance for caregiving services.

 

STEPS TO OBTAINING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAREGIVERS BY STATE

The programs that compensate family caregivers differ by state, and in some cases, from county to county.

Note that not all states make this option available, and some have restrictions on the family members that may be hired as caregivers. We included helpful resources to find your local Aging and Disability Resource Center or local Area Agency on Aging to get in touch with local experts for further guidance. We’ve also provided information on the states that offer Veteran Directed Care (VDC) well as links to the state Veterans Administration to make it easy for you to get in touch with the right representatives for the help you need. Click on a state below to go directly to the information for your state: 

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Alabama

Alabama offers the Alabama Cares Program, which is administered under the Alabama Department of Older adult Services (ADSS) through the 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). This program offers assistance to caregivers including training, individual advice, information, and support (such as personal care, limited homemaker services, and adult day care. Based on the county you live in, you will need to contact your local area agency on aging for more information and eligibility requirements.

A number of Medicaid Waiver Programs are offered that aim to help prevent nursing home placements where possible. Each has its own eligibility criteria, including income and asset qualifications. Below are some general details about Medicaid Waiver Programs that may be relevant to your situation:

The Alabama Medicaid Waiver for the Older adult and Disabled (E&D Waiver) Program is designed to provide support services to older adults and persons with disabilities that enable them to live safely in their own homes. Services may include case management, personal care, homemaker services, respite care, companion services, adult day care, and home-delivered frozen meals.

The Personal Choices program enables Alabama older adults to select and manage their own care providers and is available to individuals enrolled in a Home and Community Based Waiver Services program such as the State of Alabama Independent Program (SAIL).

The Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Program provides individuals with disabilities or long term illnesses living in a nursing facility and who wish to transition back to a home or community setting the opportunity to do so by providing Plan of Care and Case Management services. To qualify, the individual must have been in the nursing facility for 90 days or more. They must also move into the community within 180 days.

The Technical Assisted Waiver (TAW) Program provides Plan of Care and Case Management services to enable ventilator-dependent adults or those with a tracheostomy who would otherwise need institutional care to remain in the community.

If you would like more information about any of the Medicaid Waiver Programs, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463).

Alabama offers a Veteran Directed Care Program, formerly known as the Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS) program, through the following VA Medical Centers:

• Birmingham, Alabama VA Medical Center
• Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS)
• Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

Under the Veteran Directed Care Program (VDC), eligible veterans manage a flexible budget and determine the mix of goods and services that meet their needs to enable them to continue living in their homes and engage in their communities rather than risk placement in a long term care facility. Under this program, veterans hire and supervise their own workers, while receiving assessment and care planning assistance, help securing financial management services, and ongoing counseling support for themselves, their family members, and their caregivers from an options counselor.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Alabama

1. Review Medicaid eligibility requirements. If eligible, you may apply for Medicaid in Alabama online or by contacting one of Alabama’s Medicaid District Offices for assistance.
2. Contact the Alabama Department of Older adult Services.
3. Complete the Application for a §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver.
4. Evaluate other waiver program options in Alabama, including:
   1. State of Alabama Independent Living (“SAIL”) Waiver
   2. Intellectual Disabilities (“ID”) Waiver
   3. Living At Home (“LAH”) Waiver
   4. Technology Assisted (“TA”) Waiver for Adults
   5. Alabama Community Transition (“ACT”) Waiver
   6. Older adult and Disabled Waiver (E & D)
5. Contact the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services at 1-844-602-7275 for information on the SAIL Waiver, including information on how to apply. For information on the ACT or E & D waiver, contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-425-2243.
6. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) by calling 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) for more information on local programs, including Alabama Cares, and assistance with determining program eligibility and accessing programs.
7. Contact the Alabama VA Healthcare System of your choice for information on the Veteran Directed Care Program if your loved one is a veteran. (See above for links to the three Alaska VA Health System locations approved as qualified providers for VDC).

 

Alaska

The Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA), under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, engages in planning, advocacy, and interagency collaboration on issues impacting older Alaskans. The ACoA collaborates with the Division of Older adult and Disabilities Services and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority on program development, grand fund allocation, and more.

The state of Alaska offers a Personal Care Services (PCS) program, which provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as shopping, laundry, and light housework, for eligible older adults. The program operates in two primary ways:

• Agency-Based PCA Program (ABPCA): An agency will oversee, manage, and supervise the care services of participants.
• Consumer-Directed PCA Program (CDPCA): Participants manage their own care services and may hire friends or certain family members to provide care; however, parents of minor children, spouses, most legal guardians, and a sole power of attorney or a joint/dual power of attorney are restricted from serving as a paid PCA.

The Community First Choice Program (CFC) is a new program under the Medicaid reform initiative, 1915(k). The CFC program offers personal care services and other supportive services to enable eligible recipients to receive services in their homes as an alternative to institutional care. Recipients may receive a personal emergency response system (PERS) as part of the program, and as well as skills training to help them learn to perform activities with greater independence. The number of hours of personal care services a recipient is eligible to receive each week is determined by an assessment conducted by the Older adult Division of Older adult and Disabilities Services.

Home and Community Based Waiver programs are also available in Alaska. These programs aim to “support the independence of Alaskans who experience physical or developmental disabilities by providing services in their homes and in the community rather than in an institution such as a nursing home.” You can find more information here. There are also grant programs for those who are waiting or don’t qualify for Home and Community Based services under the Medicaid Waiver program, or for those who only require minimal support offered by grant services. Grant funds provide support for “families and individuals experiencing Developmental Disabilities (DD), Alzheimer’s Disease and related Disorders (ADRD), family caregivers of older adults aged 60 and over, grandparents raising grandchildren aged 55 or over, older adults aged 60 and over, and/or frail or disable older adults who need assistance in the home.”

Alaska’s Veteran Directed Care Program is offered through the Alaska VA Health System.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Alaska

1. Evaluate Alaska’s Older adult Benefits services to determine eligibility.

1. Determine eligibility for Medicaid, and if eligible, submit an application (you may also apply online at alaska.gov).
2. Apply for the Personal Care Services (PCS) program if eligible.
3. Apply for one or more of Alaska’s Home and Community Based Waiver programs.
4. Evaluate Alaska’s grant programs to determine eligibility and apply for grants you’re eligible for.
5. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for more information on local programs and assistance with determining program eligibility and accessing programs.
6. Contact the Alaska VA Healthcare System for information on the Veteran Directed Care Program if your loved one is a veteran.

 

Arizona

Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) provides non-medical home and community-based services and Family Caregiver Support for qualified individuals. These services are offered through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and the AAA may also provide caregiver support services. However, the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services doesn’t offer programs that enable family caregivers to be paid for providing care for a loved one.

The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) (the state’s Medicaid program) is the only agency that offers such a program. ALTCS is “health insurance for individuals who are age 65 or older, or who have a disability, and who require nursing facility level of care.”

In order to be eligible for ALTCS, individuals must a) be in need of a nursing home level of care as determined by AHCCCS, b) be a citizen or qualified immigrant, c) have a Social Security Number (SSN) or apply for one, d) be an Arizona resident, e) apply for all cash benefits that you may be entitled to, such as Pensions or VA benefits, and f) live in an approved living arrangement. There are also certain financial eligibility requirements that must be met.

ALTCS offers ‘Member-Directed Options,’ which empower members who qualify with more control over how certain services are provided, such as attendant care, personal care, and homemaker services. One notable Member-Directed option is ‘Self Directed Attendant Care (SDAC).’ Under SDAC, the member’s legal guardian serves as the legal employer of the paid caregiver. In this role, they assume all employer-based responsibilities and are supported by a Fiscal Employer Agent that takes care of the taxes, payroll withholding, and paychecks for the caregiver.

Arizona’s Agency with Choice (AWC) program allows ALTCS members to share employer-based responsibilities for paid caregivers in relationship with a provider agency. Under this program, the provider agency maintains hiring and firing authority over caregivers and arranges for required minimum training for caregivers. Members may choose to recruit and select their own caregivers, dismiss caregivers, manage caregivers, including their duties and schedules, supervise caregivers, and identify special training needs and conduct caregiver training.

Arizona’s Veteran Directed Care Program is offered through the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Arizona

1. Determine Medicaid eligibility and follow the application process if your loved one meets the criteria.
2. Contact your local ALTCS office. You may also get in touch with the AHCCCS/ALTCS program by calling 602-417-6600.
3. Visit Arizona’s Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) for more information on caregiver support services in your area.
4. Get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for information on the Home and Community Based Waiver program, including eligibility criteria and application information, as well as information on accessing FCSP programs.
5. Visit Arizona’s Aging and Disability Services (ADS) website for more information on programs for older adults in Arizona.
6. If your loved one is a veteran, contact the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System for information on the VDC program.

 

Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, Adult & Behavioral Health Services, administers the ARChoices in Homecare Medicaid waiver program. Under the ARChoices program, eligible recipients can receive services that provide help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and household chores. Benefits also include adult day care services, respite care, and home modifications. ARChoices represents a combination of two prior Medicaid waivers: Alternatives for Adults with Physical Disabilities (AAPD) and ElderChoices.

The Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is another Arkansas Medicaid waiver program. This program covers the cost of services received at an assisted living facility but does not cover the cost of room and board. Services may include medication monitoring, attendant care, and nursing evaluation, among others.

Arkansas also offers the Arkansas Independent Choices (IC) program. This is a member-directed option that allows the client to be in charge of “hiring, training, and supervising his or her in-home workers from Medicaid funds the client or his/her representative control.”

The Program of All Inclusive Care for the Older adult (PACE) is a joint Medicare-Medicaid program for people age 55 and older that also emphasizes consumer-directed care. You can find a PACE Plan near you by searching here.

Arkansas offers a Veteran Directed Care program through the Little Rock VA Medical Center and Fayetteville VA Medical Center.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Arkansas

1. Determine Medicaid eligibility and find out how to apply by visiting the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
2. Get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for information on local programs, eligibility, and application information.
3. Evaluate grant program options and eligibility. Contact Palco for information on the Arkansas Independent Choices Program at 1-866-710-0456. If you currently receive ARChoices services, contact the DAAS RN who conducts your assessments.
4. Determine eligibility for the HCBS waiver program. Get in touch with your local DHS County Office for application information, or call the Division of Aging Adult and Behavioral Health Services at 501-686-9164 or the Choices in Living Resource Center at 1-866-801-3435 for information on waiver programs or the PACE program.
5. Visit the Division of Aging and Adult Services for more information on programs for the older adult and disabled in Arkansas.
6. Veterans should contact the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs for information on the Veteran Directed Care program.

 

California

California’s Department of Aging offers a Family Caregiver Services Program with funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging through the state’s 33 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). The AAAs coordinate local programs to assist family caregivers who are caring for an older adult. Services include information for caregivers, help with gaining access to services, training, counseling, respite care, and limited supplemental services aiming to complement the care provided by a family caregiver. These services are provided either directly by AAA staff or through partnerships with public or private agencies.

Additionally, California’s Medicaid program offers an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that pays for services provided to qualifying older adults to enable them to remain in their own homes, such as housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and personal care services. The recipient is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising their individual provider. The IHSS program consists of four programs: IHSS-Residual (IHSS-R), Personal Care Services Program (PCSP), IHSS Plus Option (IPO), and Community First Choice Option (CFCO). Spouses may receive compensation for providing caregiving services under the program in some situations.

California’s Veteran Directed Care program is offered through the San Diego VA Health Center.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in California

1. Apply for Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) by calling 1-800-433-2611, through your local county assistance office, or online through COMPASS.
2. Contact the AAA’s Information & Assistance program for information about local programs and services, eligibility criteria, and application information by calling 1-800-510-2020.
3. Visit the California Department of Social Services for contact information for your local Social Services office.
4. Complete an IHSS application and submit it to your local IHSS office. A complete list of local IHSS offices can be found here.
5. Get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for information on programs and services offered in your area.
6. Evaluate relevant Home & Community-Based Services Waiver options and eligibility.
7. Veterans should contact the California Department of Veterans Affairs for information on the Veteran Directed Care program.

 

Colorado

The Colorado State Unit on Aging is part of the Department of Human Services, overseeing a variety of programs and services for older adults including caregiver support, nutrition services, legal services, and aging and disability resources. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) provides information, respite care, counseling, assistance for caregivers who need help gaining access to available services, and limited supplemental services such as home modifications, assistive technologies, emergency response systems, and other equipment and supplies.

Colorado’s AAAs also provide supportive services including transportation, outreach, care coordination, in-home services, home health care, and other services aimed at helping older adults remain in their homes independently. Alongside the AAAs, Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC) aids individuals in planning for their long-term care needs, provides personalized assistance to empower older adults and their caregivers to make informed decisions, and more.

In-Home Support Services (IHSS) are available in the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver program, which enables recipients to direct their own care with the added support of an agency. The program is an added benefit offered by Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program, for qualified individuals. Other waiver programs IHSS offers include the Spinal Cord Injury Waiver (SCI) and the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (CHCBS).

The Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) program allows eligible recipients to hire, train, and manage their own personal care providers, including adult children and spouses. It’s not technically a waiver program, but it is available for older adults residing in Colorado who are receiving services under the EBD waiver program or are qualified to receive services under the EBD program and other Colorado waiver programs. Under the CDASS program, recipients can manage their own Health First Colorado funds and use the funds to pay their chosen personal care provider.

The Colorado VD-HCBS program is available through the Grand Junction and Denver VA Medical Centers.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Colorado

1. Determine eligibility for Medicaid by visiting Health First Colorado and applying for benefits.
2. Contact a Single Entry Point (SEP) Agency to apply for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver through Colorado’s In-Home Support Services program. The Spinal Cord Injury Waiver (SCI) and the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (CHCBS) can also be applied for via your local SEP agency.
3. Contact your SEP or Community Centered Board (CCB) for information on eligibility for the CDASS program.
4. Determine eligibility for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Older adult (PACE) (a joint Medicare-Medicaid program) and inquire about services available. You may also inquire about PACE through a Single Point of Entry Agency. You must apply for PACE through a local PACE organization, which can be found here.
5. Contact your local ARDC office by calling 1-844-COL.ADRC (1-844-265-2372) for information on programs and services.
6. Get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for information on the NFCSP and other programs and services available in your local area, eligibility criteria, and application information.
7. Veterans should contact the Colorado Division of Military and Veterans Affairs for information on the Veteran Directed Care program.

 

Connecticut

The state of Connecticut has five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) under the Department of Aging and Disability Services. AAAs receive funding from the Federal Older Americans Act (Title III) and state funds which are then allocated to older adult service providers through a request for proposal (RFP) process. These services are offered through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Connecticut’s Medicaid program is also called HUSKY Health.

Community First Choice is a program provided by the Department of Social Services as part of the Affordable Care Act. It enables participants to receive support and services in their home while giving them control over what services they obtain and the responsibility of managing those services. Participants are permitted to hire certain family members and friends.

Various Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waivers are available in the state of Connecticut. The Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver Program allows individuals with a physical disability who require hands-on help with at least two activities of daily living (ADLs) to receive a personal care assistant. Examples of activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, eating, incontinence, transferring, and toileting. Under this program, a Personal Care Assistant is an employee of the participant, and the participant is responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and terminating them. Wages that the Personal Care Assistant receives are based on negotiation with the participant. Anyone who meets the program requirements may be a Personal Care Assistant; however, a conservator may not be a Personal Care Assistant. More information is available here.

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) is a program offered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). This program helps older adults over the age of 65 employ personal care attendants to help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other needs such as housekeeping and meal preparation. Family members are not eligible to be paid as caregivers, except under rare circumstances, through this program. However, the Adult Family Living (AFL) program is offered as an option (under ‘Assisted Living Services’) in the CHCPE program. The AFL program, provided by Caregiver Homes of Connecticut, allows a family member or friend living in the same house as the participant (or willing to move into the same house) to be compensated for their services as a care provider. The program also includes caregiver coaching and support from a professional care team.

For veterans, the VDC program in Connecticut is offered through VA Connecticut Health Care System West Haven Campus.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Connecticut

1. Determine eligibility for HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s state Medicaid program and apply for benefits by visiting ConneCT.
2. Visit the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) website for information on eligibility and how to apply.
3. Contact your local Department of Social Services office for information on applying for a Personal Care Assistance (PCA) waiver.
4. Get in touch with Caregiver Homes of Connecticut to learn more about the Adult Family Living program, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
5. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn more about programs in your area, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
6. Veterans should contact the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs for information on the VDC program, offered through the  VA Connecticut Health Care System West Haven Campus.

 

Delaware

The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) within the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (DADRC) offers a number of services to provide help for caregivers, including adult day services, Alzheimer’s day treatment, respite care, and more. The Lifespan Respite program provides vouchers to eligible caregivers to pay for care for their care recipient to allow them to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Ten Caregiver Resource Centers are located throughout the state of Delaware to provide information, assistance, and support to family caregivers.

Delaware also offers both Personal Care and Personal Attendant Services Programs. Under the Personal Care program, various services are provided to enable a care recipient to live independently in the community, such as assistance with personal hygiene, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and similar activities. Under the Attendant Services Program, participants serve as employers of their own attendants, who provide services similar to those offered under the Personal Care program. Assistance may also be available for assistive devices, home modifications, and emergency response systems; more information on these services can be found here.

Delaware’s Diamond State Health Plan – Plus (DSHP-Plus) is Delaware Medicaid’s managed long-term care program , which includes a Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) Program that allows for certain consumer-directed services such as personal care assistance. Under this program, some family members can receive payments for providing caregiving services, including spouses and adult children.

Delaware does not currently offer a VDC program.

Summary: How to obtain financial assistance for caregivers in Delaware

1. Visit Delaware ASSIST to review eligibility requirements and apply for Delaware Medicaid benefits.
2. Contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (DADRC) Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) at 1-800-223-9074 or visit the DADRC website here for information on caregiver support programs and how to apply for these services.
3. Inquire about the Attendant Services Program through the DADRC.
4. Contact the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance for information on the Diamond State Health Plan – Plus and the Long Term Care Community Services program.