Only a relatively small number of seniors have long-term care insurance. But if the seniors you're caring for have such a policy and it covers in-home care, there may be a way for you to be paid out of its benefits. If the policy covers in-home care but the seniors aren't yet collecting benefits, you can help them file a claim for benefits based on their care needs. If they qualify for monthly in-home care benefits and the policy pays them directly to them, they can use that money to pay you.
If, on the other hand, the policy requires that payment be made only to a state-certified in-home care aide, check with the National Family Caregivers Association or the Family Caregiver Alliance to find out the requirements in your state for getting such certification yourself. Often, low-cost certification classes are offered at local adult schools or community colleges.
I have been caring for my husband for the past 6 years. It is now going on 7 years. I am totally confined to home and caring for him. I do not qualify for medicaid. This is totally ridiculous because of how much income one has. Eventually I will qualify because of the high cost of medical expenses and his personal care.It isn't fair that one has to delinquish all their assets just to qualify for assistance. I am thinking seriously about divorcing my husband just so that I can get my life back and he can have the care he needs. It's not right for the system to put citizens through such a turmoil during their critical time of the life that is left in them. Let's be honest here. I know many of you feel the same way but can't say it like it really is. it's devestating to have to go through such a drastic step especially when it deals with the one you love so much.
I have a mom that I have been caring for. For some time now she has had two brain tumor sugeries and has left her with out the process of speach and left leg usage. Since having radiation which killed good cells as well as bad she lost some of her functioning process. I left a good paying job to help her out is there anyway I can get some kind of compensation for this.Or should I say pay.
I Live in OHIO and took the STNA classes to try to get paid for caring for my father. It does not help as medicare only pays for home care if you have skilled nursing such as a physical therapist, and then its a very small amount. I feel for all of you in the same position. We only want to help but the loss of income is very difficult.
My wife and I are apart would love to get back togather but if we do they will cut her & her little girle check.The dougther is 11 yr. not expected to live to much longer. I am disable too just whist we could be togather but they fixit so you can't.
I absolutely agree the govt needs to quickly step up to the plate & make funds available to pay family members to take care of their parents & family me bers. Why pay a nursing home $6000-$8000 conservatively for care, that willmeverbe as personal ,loving, or caring as a family member. The govt & medicate would save a lot of money. This is a definite for health care reform . When we give up our jobs , because we want to lovingly want to take care of our parent, & willing to give up our job & income..... We should at least get 1/3 of what it would cost on a home. We ate doing every aspect of their care. Instead of the $6000-$8000, I would be glad to get even the 1/3 of $2000-$2650/ month : including not only care, but lodging, food, pill trays, pharmacy, Dr visits, baths, store shopping, bills, outside activity, visiting, game night, laundry, linens& bed making , dust, vacuum, scrubbing , assist with walking, bathing, all meal prep, pay bills, banking, post office , etc etc how do they expect you to stay working & healthy doing this second very stressful job? This needs to be addressed. Plus the govt would save a trendous amount of money for the new health care reform bill . This is aust & a no brainer
These situations are all to sad and yet so common. My questions is this, what does one do when they're not old enough for Medicare? I have been caring for my husband for 2 years since his health has declined due to heart disease. We are only in our late 50's and I've yet to find any help for people our age. My husband was forced into retirement as well and we live on half what he made when he worked. We also have our grand daughter living with us and going to school. We support her with everything other than her Pell Grant to go to school. Seems there's no help for many in our shoes. Also, I was helping to care for my brother who now has passed away from a massive stroke. He had no health insurance having had to quit his job 4 years before he died due to a smaller stroke. I talked him into signing up for Medicaid here in Utah. After only 3 weeks from burying my brother, I received a letter from the State telling me I owed them $16,000 for all my brother's medical expenses. I was in shock....how was I to come up with that kind of money? I called and spoke to the woman who sent the letter and explained my situation but it fell on deaf ears. I was told my brother's house would have to be put on the market and sold so that the State could get their pound of flesh. I explained to this woman that the home was in no shape to be put up for sale but it made no difference. It took my husband and I 6 months to clean out the house, paint, replace appliances, redo counters and tile and finally were lucky enough to have someone give us a decent offer. It was only shear luck that this all happened as it was that next summer that my husband was diagnosed with his heart condition. Read the fine print before signing anything.
I resigned a job as a corrections officer in Texas and moved back home to help my Dad care for Mom...Dad died two years later. I have no income and have no idea where to find help? Social Security does not cover expenses for a month. Where can I find financial help/get paid for my caregiving work with Mom?
That's the state for you. They don't care a rats butt about people only themselves. They want their share of the money even though they aren't doing any of the work. and of course going to a nursing home would cost more money. dah! FOR THEM.... I think everyone should write a letter to our congress and push the issue to get paid for taking care of our parents that maybe they could set up a fund just for that, (and not touch it for their needs) so we could get paid without all the hassels.
very helpful article, unfortunately my state doesn't participate with C & C.
I just got off the phone with the Ohio District 5 counsel on ageing about trying to get paid for caring for my mother who has Alzheimer's. Their answer was to contact Passport. My niece's grandmother had that and when she passed they came in and took everything to cover her care while she was alive. Her father was her caregiver and was living there. They (Passport) had him evicted and they sold the house. They told me that I would have to get certified to take care of me mother in order to get paid. I have been caring for my mother for about 10 years now so how is me, spending more money that I don't have to get a piece of paper stating that I know how to care for my mother going to help? It would cost the government more money to have mom in a nursing home than if I would stay home and care for her. I DON'T GET IT!!!