Using Medicaid to Hire Family and Friends as In-home Caregivers

If your parent is eligible for Medicaid, the state and federal healthcare program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, she may be able to use family or friends as paid in-home caregivers.

Different states have different Medicaid eligibility criteria and programs, but many allow family and friends to become paid caregivers. To participate, your parent must qualify for in-home care, based on her condition, finances, and other factors. Potential caregivers are screened and trained by local government agencies, such as the county, before they can work. The government pays them an hourly rate; your parent doesn?t need to make any monetary transactions.

To see if this program is available for your parent and if she qualifies, contact her county?s senior services department. Or check with your parent?s Local Area Agency on Aging for the appropriate Medicaid contact.