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THE FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT
PROGRAM...
A program to provide assistance to
family members providing care to an older relative.
Responding to the needs of family and other caregivers.
CAREGIVERS ARE THE FOCUS
Regardless of age, home is often where we want to
live. This is no different for older persons who need help with their
daily activities. In 1991 the Pa. legislature passed a law creating a
statewide program to help families who are living with and providing
care for a relative over the age of sixty (or under the age of sixty
with a diagnosis of dementia). In 2000 the Older American's Act was
amended to include a national Family Caregiver Program which expanded
the state program by including support for caregivers who are not
relatives and who do not live in the same household.
Families play a primary role in helping older
relatives remain in their home. By developing programs that focus on the
needs of the caregiver to continue this important job, these programs
support families so that they have the physical, emotional and financial
means to continue providing care.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM?
For the State Family
Caregiver Program:
- Care receivers must need help with at least one
daily activity.
- Caregivers must be related to the person who needs
care.
- Caregivers must live in the same household as the
person who needs care.
- The household income must be considered in
determining the amount of benefits a caregiver may receive. This is called cost-sharing, which means that depending on the
household income, caregivers may be eligible for a percentage of
program benefits.
For the Federal
Family Caregiver Program:
There is no
requirement for the caregiver and the care receiver (age 60+) to be
related or to live in the same household. The care receiver must need
assistance with at least two daily activities. Only the household where
the person needing care is considered for cost sharing.
Family members 60 and older providing
care to a relative under the age of 18 may be eligible for special
assistance.
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HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
A trained Care Manager from the Area
Agency on Aging will come to your home to determine eligibility for the
program. The worker will assess the kinds of help that the older person
needs, as well as the kinds of help that you as the caregiver might need
in providing this care. The worker will discuss program benefits as well
as other programs or types of assistance that might be helpful to you.
Together the care manager, the caregiver and the consumer will develop a
plan for utilizing program benefits.
An important feature of the Family
Caregiver Program is that the caregiver may choose
the services most needed to help him/her continue providing care
for their loved one at home. |
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WHAT BENEFITS AND SERVICES ARE
AVAILABLE?
Assessment of the needs of the caregiver and of the
older relative.
Reimbursement to caregivers for
respite care (relief for the caregiver) and other services.
Education and emotional support Financial assistance
to purchase supplies and assistive devices.
Home modifications such as wheelchair ramps and other
changes to aid in caregiving tasks.
Referrals to support groups, organizations and
agencies.
Benefit counseling and assistance in completing
benefits and insurance forms The AAA must include a support for primary
caregivers who are 60 years or older and are primary caregiver (and
living in the same household) for a child under the age of 18 with
mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.
HOW DOES COST-SHARING WORK?
Basic services such as assessment of family needs,
education, benefit counseling and referrals to other agencies are
available to all participants in the Program. In addition, reimbursement
for caregiving expenses and for home modifications or equipment is
available up to program limits. Families are asked to document household
income. Families whose income does not exceed 380% of the federal
poverty level are eligible for $200- $500/month for services and
supplies and up to $2000 for helpful home modifications or equipment.
The amount of reimbursement depends on income, the type of program
(Federal or State) the cost of caregiving expenses and available
funding.
Families whose household income exceed 380% of the
federal poverty level will be eligible for a percentage of the program
benefits provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Trained
care mangers will determine eligibility.
FOR MORE CALL OR WRITE THE MJAAA
717-242-0315
or
1-800-348-2277
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