The number of elderly Americans age 65 and older will quadruple in the next 30 years, according to the University of California. Family members perform about 82 percent of the care for elderly relatives. This can be very difficult physically, mentally and financially for families. Fortunately, some excellent programs are available that can help family members care for their elderly loved ones.
PACE
The Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is offered in certain areas of some states to those who are eligible for nursing home care. You can access PACE when you are no longer able to care for your elderly family member at home. This program is for older Medicare or Medicaid recipients, according to Medicare. To be eligible, you must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area and meet certain medical requirements. A team of health professionals who will determine your needs must screen you, and you must be able to live in a community setting safely. The program offers care by providing services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services such as social work, rehab, medical care, laboratory services, nursing home care and hospital care are part of the services offered. Adult day care facilities may offer some of these services, as reported by Medicare. PACE is paid through a fixed monthly payment from Medicare or Medicaid. There may also be an additional monthly charge for some enrollees.
Caregiver Homes Program
In Massachusetts, a program called Caregiver Homes was begun in 2006 to help caregivers care for elderly family members. The program pays a family member or non-family member to care for the elderly person at home. According to Caregiver Homes, the program pays up to $18,000 per year to help cover costs. To be eligible, you must be a participant in Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) and need assistance with at least three activities of daily living (ADL). The ADLs include bathing, eating and dressing. In addition, Caregiver Homes will consider patients who need management because of dangerous behaviors such as wandering or resistance to care. The paid caregiver will need to provide total supervision of the elderly individual. Elderly clients will also receive home visits from nursing staff or a case manager to help ensure they are being well cared for.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care facilities are available in most states to help care for your elderly family members while you are at work or running errands. The concept of an adult day care facility is the same as for child day care. However, adult day care facilities have nurses and specially trained staff to help care for elderly people's needs. According to Eldercare Locator, many elderly people take part in such regularly scheduled programs. These programs offer services such as counseling, education, care in the evening, exercise, meals and medical care. They give family caregivers a well-needed break from caring for patients who require a great deal of work. They also offer socialization for the elderly person that may not otherwise be available. In some states, Medicaid will help cover the cost of adult day care. However, it can also be paid for out-of-pocket.
References
- The University of California: Elderly Caregiving: Choices, Challenges, and Resources for the Family
- Medicare: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
- Caregiver Homes: Medicaid Funded Elder Care Program to Pay Massachusetts Family Caregivers Up To $18,000 Per Year to Care for Their Elders at Home
- Eldercare Locator: Adult Day Care
