1. Medicaid programs Most states have Medicaid programs that give money to seniors so they can hire an in-home caregiver. That person could be a family member or friend instead of a professional caregiver. Some states also allow a spouse to be the paid caregiver. Each state has its own eligibility requirements and name for its program. If your older adult is accepted into the state’s program, the amount of money they receive will depend on a Medicaid assessment of need and the average state wage for in-home care aides. To find the local Medicaid office and learn how to apply for the program, it’s best to start with the local Area Agency on Aging. Ask them how to contact the local Medicaid office or how to apply for a program that would pay you for caring for your older adult.

If your family member needs help with daily activities and personal care, such as household chores, meal preparation or bathing, or is just in need of companionship, you likely are seeking in-home care services , rather than home health care. In-home care services offer assistance with everyday activities. The costs for these services and the eligibility requirements vary. Often, you will have to hire someone from an agency or someone you know and pay out of pocket. In some communities volunteer organizations may be able to help. While Medicare will not pay for these services, Medicaid (government health insurance for low-income people – this program may go by a different name in your state) covers limited in-home care or chore services for those who qualify. If your family member is age 60 or older, he/she may also be eligible for other government programs administered through the local department on aging such as transportation services, meals programs (i.e., Meals on Wheels) and limited in-home personal care and chore services. For information on options for care in the home, read FCA’s fact sheet, Caregiving at Home: A Guide to Community Resources, and contact other agencies.

Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed and exhausted or your health fails. Respite services, as well as support groups with other caregivers and help from your family and friends, can be invaluable. Reaching out for help when you need it is an important part of the job. For more information about respite care and taking care of yourself, read FCA’s Fact Sheet Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers To find respite services available in your community, contact the following resources - ARCH National Respite Network The ARCH National Respite Network is a service to help caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community.archrespite.org/respitelocator

For more information, read FCA’s fact sheet, Caregiving at Home: A Guide to Community Resources, as well as FCA’s Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers. To learn more about the organizations and services near your family member, contact: Eldercare Locator: Connects older Americans (60+) and their caregivers with the local Area Agency on Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides information about local aging services, support groups and other services for caregivers. eldercare.acl.gov Aging Life Care Association (formerly National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers) Geriatric care managers have expertise in overseeing the care of seniors and can do a thorough assessment of your family’s situation. They are typically paid out of pocket and their fees vary. This organization lists geriatric care managers near you: www.aginglifecare.org

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a federal law, provides certain employees in all states up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for themselves, a sick family member (limited to a spouse, child or parent), or a new child without losing their jobs or health care insurance. Note that this law applies only to companies with 50 or more employees and that an employee must have worked at least 52 days full-time or 1,250 hours during the previous year before taking FMLA leave. In addition, some states have laws that expand leave protection. For example, they may include care for relatives who are not covered by FMLA, such as grandparents, siblings and in-laws. Other states have programs that continue to pay workers part of their wages while they take time off to care for an ill family member. For more information on paid family leave policies, see FCA’s publication, Support for Working Family Caregivers: Paid Leave Policies in California and Beyond. For information about family and medical leave laws in your state, contact your state department of labor. For additional information, contact: U.S. Department of Labor Provides detailed information about the Family and Medical Leave Act. www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm National Partnership for Women and Families National organization that provides information for workers and policymakers about the Family and Medical Leave Act and other state policies regarding paid leave. https://www.nationalpartnership.org