Can I Get Paid To Be A Caregiver For My Family Member In PA?
Older adults in Pennsylvania who prefer to age in their own homes rather than move to a skilled nursing facility often find that they need some assistance with activities of daily living. With qualified help, many elderly individuals can stay comfortably in their homes for their entire lives. A major factor in staying in one’s home long-term, also called aging in place, is having a professionally trained caregiver for help.
When it becomes clear that an elderly individual needs extra help getting in and out of bed, using the bathroom, preparing meals, and arranging transportation, the family is usually first to step in. As care needs grow, however, it can become burdensome for caregivers who devote a great deal of unpaid time to their loved one’s needs. What many family caregivers do not realize is that they can be compensated for providing home care to their loved one.
How Can a Family Member Get Paid to Be a Caregiver in PA?
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services makes it possible for eligible Medicaid recipients to make choices about their services. Through the Office of Long-Term Living’s Home and Community-Based Services, individuals are able to choose their own caregiver. Once properly trained, these caregivers can be paid for the services they are already providing to their family member.
While this option is certainly beneficial for many families, the process to confirm eligibility for both the participant and the caregiver can be a bit confusing. At Linda’s Care, we navigate this process for many of our participants and employees. We manage the paperwork for the family, and then we hire and train the caregiver to make it easier on everyone.
By working with a home care agency, caregivers can access:
Excellent training
Employment benefits and insurance
Resources and Peer support
Additional caregiving income opportunities
Caregivers who complete training and are properly compensated provide excellent care to their family members. They are generally more confident in their skills, are able to set healthy boundaries for their role, take time to practice self-care, and appreciate the support available from coworkers and supervisors.
What are the Rules for Being a Family Caregiver?
Individuals who are over the age of 18 are eligible to be paid caregivers for family members. In Pennsylvania, spouses and powers of attorney are not eligible to be paid caregivers under the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver.
Caregivers should be properly trained in order to avoid injury to themselves or their care recipient. They should also be aware of the services and support systems available to their family member, such as adult day care centers, Medicare services, meal services, and transportation. At Linda’s Care, we are continually learning about our participants’ communities to make sure that our staff has quick access to this type of information. This eases the burden on caregivers, especially family caregivers, so that they can focus on the relationship with their loved one.
Become a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member
Many of our employees join Linda’s Care to provide home care for a family member. We strive to make sure every family knows that you do not need to feel alone in caring for your loved one. Not only can you earn income while providing care, but you can also receive great training and supportive resources to turn your role into a rewarding career. If you would like to learn more about getting paid to care for a family member, please contact us to see how Linda’s Care can help. We are seeking new caregivers to provide non-medical home care for their own family members in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County and Delaware County.