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How Paying Your Family Members for Eldercare Works

How Paying Your Family Members for Eldercare Works

The most rewarding job you can do for a family member is to serve as a caregiver. You have the opportunity to ensure she receives the best quality care possible while spending time with your loved ones. If you become the primary caregiver, you don’t have to worry about strangers who may not be sympathetic or attentive when taking care of your loved one. 

Being a caregiver for a family member has a tendency of you completely leaving your job to provide quality care or often have significantly reduced the number of hours working outside the home. Caregivers are not being compensated for the time spent assisting their loved ones with daily tasks, cooking meals, taking them to appointments, ensuring their well-being and safety, and providing companionship. 

A study shows that caregiving increase the likelihood that women will experience poverty and rely on public assistance and another study shows that those who help significantly impaired people-- 31.3% of the caregivers have financial difficulties related to caregiving. Thus, caregivers often have to pay for caregiving expenses from their own pocket even if they lose a great deal of income when they take care of their loved ones. 

Below are some steps for you to know on how to receive compensation in taking care of your loved ones: 

Step 1. Qualifying For Medicaid's Cash and Counseling Program 

You may receive financial aid from the Cash and Counseling Program if your loved one is eligible for Medicaid. Providing people with disabilities including senior citizens, the option to manage a budget and determine how to use their money to pay goods and services directly related to their personal care needs is what the program provides which is available in 15 states. You may be able to receive a payment if this financial aid program is available in your state since program participants have an option to use their budget from the Cash & Counseling Program to hire and pay caregivers. Contact your local Medicaid office to know your family member’s eligibility. 

Step 2. Consider Home and Community-Based Service Program 

A lot of seniors are eligible into a home and community-based service program (HCBS). The program gives support and cares to caregivers while allocating them a tax-free daily stipend for their financial burden to be at ease. Such services are provided by Caregiver Homes. 

Medicaid beneficiaries who receive in-home care will typically enjoy this program since it will be available mostly to them. These programs are often available to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and physical illness with that being said, these programs are not limited to seniors only. Instead of worrying about financial problems, caregivers can focus on providing quality care.

Step 3. Find out the Eligibility Requirements for Veteran’s Aid

Veterans can enroll in the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Service program that gives them the opportunity to manage their own care which includes hiring and paying in-home caregivers-- that falls for some veterans around the United States who are in danger of being placed in nursing homes. A benefit known as Aid and Attendance is another option for veterans who require in-home care. Covering assisted living, and in-home care costs including paying family caregivers are the benefit’s scope. 

Contact your local Veterans Affairs office or your local veterans service association if you need more assistance in determining your loved one’s eligibility for these veteran’s benefits. 

You are within your rights to ask your loved ones or other family members if they will compensate you for your time considering the amount of money you are saving your loved one and the rest of the family by serving as a primary caregiver. The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that if the family would be paying out of pocket for a home aide that would cost an average of $3,861 per month. Meet with an attorney to draft a contract to state your work and payment schedule to protect yourself and your family. This contract may be used later if your loved one will enter an assisted living facility or nursing home or if your loved one to apply for Medicaid. 

If you hope to become a paid caregiver for a family member, you need to know your loved one’s eligibility for various government programs, insurance policy benefits, employee benefits, and family paying option. When you get compensated for all the time and energy you give to provide loving, attentive care for your loved one, spending a few hours determining your eligibility will be worth it. 

John Pournaras Agency
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