Caregiver Support Programs

There are approximately 43.5 million people who provide unpaid caregiving to family members throughout the year. Americans are living longer, and as the population ages, the number of caregivers will also continue to rise in the coming years.

Caregivers are an essential element in our healthcare system and, according to AARP, they account for about $470 billion worth of unpaid labor in the U.S.

Caregiving already has become the new norm for many, as we find ourselves helping loved ones who are disabled, frail, or suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and kidney and liver diseases, which have been on the rise.

Benefits & Services for Caregivers

• Assessment of caregiver and care recipient needs • Respite care • Training in caregiving skills • Financial assistance to purchase caregiving-related supplies or services • Limited funding for assistive devices and home modifications • Benefits counseling on services available through local, state, and federal programs • Referrals to family support or disease-specific organizations, such as Children of Aging Parents or the

Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders Association • Assistance in completing benefits and insurance forms

Eligibility

If you are age 18 or older and the primary caregiver* of a functionally dependent person who is age 60 or older, you may be eligible for assistance.

If you are age 18 or older and the primary caregiver* of an individual who is age 18–59 with Alzheimer’s disease or other chronic dementia, or an individual who is under age 18 with chronic dementia, you may be eligible for assistance.

If you are age 55 or older and the primary caregiver* of a relative who is under age 18 or a relative age 18–59 with a non-dementia-related disability who lives with you, you may be eligible for assistance.

*A primary caregiver is the one identified adult family member or other responsible person who has primary responsibility for the provision of care — including coordination of care and services — needed to maintain the physical and/or mental health of the care receiver. The caregiver may not receive reimbursement for personally providing caregiving services to the care receiver and must be actively involved with various aspects of care on a regular — but not necessarily daily — basis.

For specific program information, please contact your local Area Agency on Aging or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s website at www.aging.pa.gov.

Some research has shown that men are increasingly stepping up in their caregiving responsibilities, but women are still more likely to provide basic care (e.g., help with dressing, feeding, and bathing), while sons are more likely to provide financial assistance.

The major focus of the Caregiver Support Programs is to reinforce the care given to people over the age of 60 or adults with chronic dementia. To determine the needs of both the caregiver and receiver, the package of benefits begins with an assessment. You could also take advantage of other benefits available, such as counseling, education, and financial information.

Assessment Criteria (Federal and State)

Caregiver must reside in the same household as care receiver.

State

No **

Federal

No* *

Caregiver must be related to the care receiver. No

No ***

Household income of care receiver is used to determine eligibility.

Care receiver must require assistance with two or more activities of daily living (ADLs).

Maximum amount of monthly reimbursement for caregiver expenses (depending on the caregiver’s reimbursement percentage) is: Yes

No (1) ADL needed

$200 ***** Yes

Yes ****

$200 *****

Maximum amount of reimbursement for home modification/assistive devices (depending on the caregiver’s reimbursement percentage and availability of funding) is: $2,000 $2,000

Caregiver must have primary responsibility for the provision of care and be actively involved with various aspects of the care receiver’s care on a regular — but not necessarily daily — basis. Yes Yes

**Unless care receiver is 18–59 years of age with a non-dementia-related disability, or the caregiver is 55 years of age and older caring for a child under age 18. ***Must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption if the care receiver is 18–59 years of age with a non-dementia-related disability, or the caregiver is 55 years of age and older caring for a child under age 18. ****ADL requirement does not apply if the caregiver is 55 years of age and older caring for a child under age 18. (The caregiver cannot be the biological parent of the child.) *****Up to $500 with documentation to justify need.