Can people get paid to take care of a family member?
There are certain situations where an informal caregiver who is a family member can get paid for their work around caregiving. Payment may come from a long-term care insurance policy or the parent. However, in order to qualify the payment must be handled through an in-home care company that hires the family member as the caregiver.
If the parent or another family member is on Medicaid, and the adult child lives with them, then organizations such as PASCO, which provides comprehensive services to people needing assistance with ADLs, can help. To become eligible, the adult child is first trained to be a Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA, and then they are hired by PASCO or a similar organization to provide paid care to their loved one. For more information about how to get paid to be a caregiver for parents or another member of your family, visit PASCO.
There are also two waivers provided by Health First Colorado (Medicaid) that allows an individual to stay in their home and have a family member or non-related person become a paid provider to implement services as a Direct Service Provider.
AgeWise Colorado presents: Types and Costs of In-Home Care Providers 1221 – YouTube
Respite Care Offers Short-Term Relief to Help with Caregiver Burnout
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be for just a few hours, or even a few weeks. It can also be a planned or an emergency. It’s important for caregivers to have some time for themselves and respite care allows them to do so while at the same time ensuring that a loved one is being well cared for.
Fortunately, Colorado has a number of resources both free and paid that can help address caregiver burnout through respite services. These resources include:
Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC) is an allied group of families and community partners who have joined together to strengthen and preserve Colorado families who are caring for individuals with special needs. The CRC works to improve the lives of Colorado families by supporting current respite care options and facilitating the development of new, safe, and affordable respite care choices.
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
The ARCH National Respite Network includes the National Respite Locator, a service to help caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community, the National Respite Coalition, a service that advocates for preserving and promoting respite in policy and programs at the national, state, and local levels, and the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance Center which is funded by the Administration for Community Living in the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Veterans: AID & Attendance and Long Term Care
As a veteran, you or your loved one may qualify for special programs through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. These programs provide additional funds to qualified veterans and survivors. If long term care is necessary, the VA provides short stay or lifelong options for veterans. Learn more at the VA Geriatrics and Extended Care.
Adult Daycare Can Provide a Nice Break for Caregivers and Older Adults Alike
For those that need an alternative to full-time in-home care, Adult Daycare Programs can fill the bill. They can offer supervised support to an older adult including those with dementia or who otherwise need additional care and attention.
Many adult day programs offer assisted transportation, at least one hot meal, and opportunities to socialize with others. They also provide for activities ranging from painting to trivia games to fitness and movement activities like stretching and chair exercises. Some centers even provide a limited range of health services.
