i live in california and i am self employed, my father passed away 2 months ago, he was the primary care giver for my mother with demincia, i have moved her in with me, and there are many days i cannot leave her alone to work for even a couple of hours, we cannot afford to pay someone to keep an eye on her. and i am sure she does not qualify for state programs, is there something that will compensate my income to stay with her?
Hi Nadine, first let me say dont feel guilty about spending your parents money as long as its to care for them and help manage your expenses. Surprsingly I am going through the same thing, had to quit my job and mothers ss and pension is all the income we have. I dont know what state you are in so check with your dept on aging. Here in Maryland I have called everywhere and all they say is she gets too much money even though I no longer have a job, or there is a waiting list. There is also a program that will reimburse you up to 500 for any adult day care, or in home aid but I cant wait to get reimbursed if I put out that kiind of money. I wish I could help you Nadine but I have not had any luck either. I just pray, cry and go on day by day. Actually I moving out of state where I can get better support and hope I can find better programs to assist me, good luck,
I need to find help on a program that pays to stay home and take care of my elderly parents . My mother in blind and has diabetes and my father has heart problems and they are both in there 80's I will need some kind of assistance to pay my bills also and the income can only take care of there needs, I dont want to spend there money its not enough.
In FL the income limit for the caregiver financial program is $2022 a month for an individual and no more than $3000 in assets. One homestead and vehicle are not counted toward assets.The stipend to the caregiver is maximum $106 a month. I also recommend contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. You can do so by using eldercare.gov . If you don't qualify for financial assistance most states have other forms of assistance such as respite care, adult day care, case management, personal care, etc. They'll provide information about funded federal/state programs, intake and screen for available programs, and provide community/volunteer resources.
Dial 211 or do a search for your county Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center. Every county in the US has one. Call and tell them you need help. They will assign you a social worker for intake and see what services/support may be available to you.
I live in KY and take care of my mother in law who has a mental illness as well as my 84 year old grandmother in law. my own mother who has lupus also lives with us. I can not keep a job due to the fact that I do all the running. Doctors appointments, hair dresser, medication pick up etc... I don't know where to turn.
It is rare for a caregivier to be paid for care but there are some benefit sets that will help some people.
1. Medicare: Medicare does not pay caregivers and only pays for intermittent "skilled care" at home. The care must be ordered by a physician and rendered by skilled personnel such at a physical, respiratory, occupational therapist or some other skilled person to perform a task. While skilled care is being received, some home health aide services are provided. If you are working with a "creative" Medicare home health care agency they can often work with the doctor to keep care going for quite a long time.
2. Medicaid: Many states have a long-term care program called "Cash and Counseling". It does provide a small amount for caregiver services. It is not available in all states or all of the time in states that do fund it.
3. Other Medicaid Programs: Many states have other Medicaid long-term care waiver programs which allow them to fund some home and community based services. Though they will not pay a caregiver, the amount saved on Rx, Medicare Premiums, etc. does free up cash. Also, adult day care and a few hours a day of custodial care are usually provided giving the caregiver much needed respite or time to work.
4. Veterans benefits: Taking advantage of all VA benefits can free up cash. The Aid and Attendance Improved pension is a non-service connected pension benefit which pays the vet for unreimbursed medical expenses INCLUDING THE COST OF CARE PROVIDED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. This benefit is available to vets (up to $1,650 p/m), their survivng spouses (up to 1,057 p/m), or as a couple (up to $1,950 p/m).
I know all about the "your mom gets too much money for state help" speech! My mom has dementia and has been with me a month,she gets $2,100 a month. The day care I want to place her in is $1,600 a month for 5 days a week. I have to work thats why I want her in for 5 days,anything les I would have to pay an aide to come in and thats as expensive as adult day care. I cant place her in center now because I have not been able to work because there is no one to watch her while I do so my check is short and now I have to use some of her money to pay the rent,gas and electric and buy food! We both cant live off $2,100 a month!! So sometimes no matter what solution you come up with, something else comes up. But Im not giving up, there has to be a loop hole somewhere in the system that no matter what our eldery gets a month, something is out there to help the caregiver stay on their feet,because we also are losing out. Does someone out there know anything that can help?
If your father or mother was in the military during wartime, there is a VA benefit to help with the care of the individual or spouse..My mother in law fractured her back and she was in 2 nursing homes before this one and the previous ones told us she did not qualify. The nice thing is that they can keep their home. She has Alzheimers. We have been making up the difference in her bills and thought she couldn't get anything because she still has the house. We are hoping that I will get well enough to care for her at home and maybe I know I am asking for a miracle but I hope she knows us until the end. She gets mean with me and all the things that our parents with this aweful disease do....but I am hoping that in the end....I can bring her home. She should be at home...even though now when we bring her home...she doesn't know where she is. But she is comforted when she knows she is home with her family. She spent 10 years with us after my father in law died. Long term care insurance is nice but it is extremely expensive. The average retiree cannot afford to buy it unless they purchase it when they are younger and still working. And the thing is that most policies also have a cap on the number of years that they pay. From what I have heard most pay for 5 years, which is your look back period... I have alot of health problems but I worked at a Bank for 25 years and I did alot of work for people in the situation. Make sure that your parent has money set aside for burial. The amount was $5,000 but I am sure that has changed. A nursing home and medicaid will not touch those monies and it is one less thing to worry about. I hope this helps...
I wish I could help you Nadine but I have not had any luck either. I just pray, cry and go on day by day. Actually I moving out of state where I can get better support and hope I can find better programs to assist me, good luck,
1. Medicare: Medicare does not pay caregivers and only pays for intermittent "skilled care" at home. The care must be ordered by a physician and rendered by skilled personnel such at a physical, respiratory, occupational therapist or some other skilled person to perform a task. While skilled care is being received, some home health aide services are provided. If you are working with a "creative" Medicare home health care agency they can often work with the doctor to keep care going for quite a long time.
2. Medicaid: Many states have a long-term care program called "Cash and Counseling". It does provide a small amount for caregiver services. It is not available in all states or all of the time in states that do fund it.
3. Other Medicaid Programs: Many states have other Medicaid long-term care waiver programs which allow them to fund some home and community based services. Though they will not pay a caregiver, the amount saved on Rx, Medicare Premiums, etc. does free up cash. Also, adult day care and a few hours a day of custodial care are usually provided giving the caregiver much needed respite or time to work.
4. Veterans benefits: Taking advantage of all VA benefits can free up cash. The Aid and Attendance Improved pension is a non-service connected pension benefit which pays the vet for unreimbursed medical expenses INCLUDING THE COST OF CARE PROVIDED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. This benefit is available to vets (up to $1,650 p/m), their survivng spouses (up to 1,057 p/m), or as a couple (up to $1,950 p/m).
Long term care insurance is nice but it is extremely expensive. The average retiree cannot afford to buy it unless they purchase it when they are younger and still working. And the thing is that most policies also have a cap on the number of years that they pay. From what I have heard most pay for 5 years, which is your look back period...
I have alot of health problems but I worked at a Bank for 25 years and I did alot of work for people in the situation. Make sure that your parent has money set aside for burial. The amount was $5,000 but I am sure that has changed. A nursing home and medicaid will not touch those monies and it is one less thing to worry about.
I hope this helps...