How to Become a Caregiver for a Family Member

Deciding to become a family caregiver can be extremely rewarding. In addition to the opportunity to spend quality time with your loved one, you can ensure they receive the necessary care to manage chronic conditions or disabilities.
While there are many positives to being a family caregiver, they often come at a cost. The demand for caring for a loved one reduces the number of working hours available. This means you have fewer opportunities to earn a living because your time is spent caring for your spouse, parent, sibling, or another loved one. Fortunately, there’s potential for financial assistance through family caregiver pay opportunities.
CaringPays provides resources and healthcare services for caregivers and their loved ones in states where our agencies are located: Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., Here, we explain how to become a paid caregiver for a family member.

What Is a Family Caregiver?

A family caregiver provides short-term or long-term assistance to a family member or loved one. Those needing care generally suffer from injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or chronic conditions that make daily tasks challenging and unsafe to perform alone. Family caregivers offer value by completing or assisting with the following tasks:

• Providing transportation to medical appointments and other errands
• Helping them stand up from a seated position or get out of bed
• Providing medication reminders
• Assisting with dressing, bathing, and using the restroom
• Speaking with healthcare professionals on behalf of the person receiving care
• Monitoring family members’ medical conditions and detailing any changes in health
• Performing housekeeping duties to ensure passageways are clear and there aren’t any tripping hazards
• Preparing and serving meals
• Managing finances and budget if needed

Determining Eligibility

The first step to being compensated as a family caregiver is determining eligibility for the following programs:

State Medicaid Programs

Several states offer financial assistance for caregivers through Medicaid. If the person receiving care is eligible for Medicaid, support may be available through Medicaid waiver programs. These programs enable caregivers to receive compensation while offering an alternative to traditional care facilities for those who require care. There are different types of Medicaid waivers for different circumstances, such as caring for an aging adult or loved one with disabilities who needs long-term services and support.
Every state that offers this type of assistance has different requirements and criteria that you must meet to get paid for caregiving. Depending on the state, you may need to obtain a certificate and become employed by a state organization.

Home and Community-Based Services Program

If you’re providing care for a family member who has difficulties performing daily activities, you may be eligible to enroll in a Home and Community-Based Services program. Caregivers eligible for this program can receive a tax-free stipend, a personal caregiver coach for support, and access to other resources.
The compensation from these programs can help reduce the financial stress often associated with caregiving, allowing you to focus more on providing quality care for your loved one. Typically, these programs are available for people who receive in-home care and are enrolled in Medicaid.

Veterans Programs

If you’re a family caregiver for a loved one who served in the United States military, you may be eligible to apply for compensation via the Veteran Directed Care Program and VA Aid and Attendance. To be eligible for these programs, the caregiver and the veteran must meet certain requirements.
To apply for compensation through veterans’ programs, you must be an adult family member or live with the person needing care. Additionally, the veteran requesting care must have a VA disability rating (individual or combined) of at least 70%, have been discharged from the U.S. military or have a date of medical discharge, and require at least six months of continuous, in-person care services.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Depending on the policy, some long-term care insurance policies allow for paying a family member who provides care. Determine whether your loved one has such a policy and ask the provider if caregiver payment is one of the included benefits.

Learn More About Family Caregiver Pay

As the population ages, many people prefer to remain in their homes as they get older. You can ensure your loved one can age in place while receiving quality care by becoming a paid family caregiver. If you’re interested in becoming a paid family caregiver, turn to the team at CaringPays for resources and support. Our agencies include locations in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Becoming a family caregiver is as easy as 1-2-3 with CaringPays. Check your eligibility and begin the application and enrollment process to start getting paid. For more information about our organization’s values or how to become a caregiver for a family member, contact your local agency today to find out if you qualify.