Elder Care Solutions

Payment for family caregiving services will most likely come from a government program, but let’s not overlook the possibility that a long-term insurance policy or a home care agency’s rules may allow a family member to complete some formal education and qualify as a professional Care Assistant. This may permit the family to pay the commercial rate for home care with the qualified family caregiver earning some of what is paid with private funds. This may not be as good as receiving payment from the government, but it’s not to be overlooked.

Let’s also take note of an unusual nonprofit entity that can be surveyed at Pace4you.org. They accept a fee for replacing government services and adding to them in the locations they serve, and if the facts are right for you, they can make the aging-at-home happen at less cost and more service than would be otherwise available.

Since it is governmental resources we’re looking for, online is the place to begin. Family Caregiver has a Family Care Navigator site with a section for “Caregiver Compensation” for agencies with programs enabling the care recipient to hire a family member to render care, so this is a good place to start.

Every locale is served by a local Area Agency on Aging, and this information will be available there. Your state may offer support programs; national disease-specific organizations; and local veterans service officers, all of which can be terrific resources that will readily lead to other sources.

Remember that in searching for family caregiver payments, you may encounter ways to reduce the costs of the services you now need, or may need in the near future, so view this process as fact-finding for both immediate and future use. Also be aware that the changes, all mostly for the good, are coming fast, so keep your notebook current. This is one topic that the experiences of others can shed much light on, so cultivate associations as you can with local caregiver groups. Local government and churches are good sources for information about such groups.

Important Consideration: Medicaid will be initially inclined to treat any payments to family members as disguised gifts, so you’ll want to, from the beginning, document the payments and the reasons for. By far, the best way to do this, and keep all operations open and clear, is to prepare for signature a Personal Care Agreement, and then abide by its terms. Clearly, this can help the family on several fronts simultaneously with no downside. No special format is required by anyone, and its terms should be exactly what the providers undertake to do. Do not make this a difficult project; and do not delay its execution.