There have been instances where home care patients are often uncomfortable letting a stranger into their home to take care of their medical and personal needs.
Older adults value their independence. Yet many seniors need help from others to be safe at home. They rely on their adult children, spouses, and other relatives who provide hands-on assistance and can coordinate their care.
Thankfully, there is an alternative: the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a New York statewide Medicaid program that has helped thousands of patients over the last decade.
This program allows the consumers to recruit, hire and direct their own home care workers. The program allows participants to choose a caregiver they know and trust — either a child, sibling or some other family member.
There are many advantages to having a family member or close friend work for you; for example:
- You work with people you trust
- You shared core values
- Better and more flexible working conditions
- They support you and your vision
CDPAP offers many benefits, one of the most attractive being it allows family members to be paid for care giving, a job they are already performing. This is very beneficial for individuals who have sacrificed outside jobs to care for a family member. Another great benefit is that it allows people without caregiver experience or training to take on the caregiver role. The love and support of a family is life’s greatest blessing.
To learn more about becoming a personal assistant for your loved one, check out our blog A Profession to Be Proud Of - Becoming a Personal Assistant.
