Can You Get Paid to Give Care?

One of the common things that you will find when performing an internet search on senior care is the idea that you can get paid as a family caregiver. This is often met with skepticism, and rightly so. Being told that you can get paid to provide care seems like it’s too good to be true.

 

The short answer is: yes. You can make money as a caregiver, but probably not much, if any, if you are caring for an elderly parent or a spouse. There are exceptions, of course. But these are rare. For example, some older long term care insurance policies do provide training and a small stipend for family caregivers. However, the only way for this to be realistic is if the relative that is in need of care has an active policy in place and had purchased the rider that would allow for these extras.

 

Another way that you can get paid to provide care is if your state allows Medicaid to contract you as an in-home caregiver. This does not apply if the person in need is your spouse, but it can often be applied to other family members. First, the individual must qualify for Medicaid services. Second, you must meet the state’s requirements as a certified caregiver. This requires some training and observation–the process for each state is a little different. Next, you must follow a care plan created by a Medicaid social worker and be able to provide documentation that you are doing so. If you have questions about pursuing this, getting in touch with your county’s Department of Social Services can be a good starting point.

 

You can get paid to be a caregiver, but be careful on how you pursue this opportunity.

 

There are scams out there, and for a variety of reasons, seniors and senior caregivers are often the targets of these scams. Websites that claim that they can help you get money for helping an elderly loved one can also fall into this category. It is very important that if you are going to give your personal information out that you only do it for an organization that you know and trust. Most websites do not fall into this description. Give any company or site that says that they can help you get started in this career path your due diligence to prevent yourself or your family from falling victim to a scam.

 

Often, it is much easier and smarter to go with a professional care service. Being a caregiver is tough. It takes a special type of person to be a caregiver. Patience, compassion, love, and knowledge are necessary character traits for all caregivers, even family ones. Taking on the role of caregiver is a noble thing, but it’s certainly not for everyone. There’s no harm in calling in a professional to assist your family to provide a higher level of care. If you are looking for a professional caregiver, we can help. We’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area and provide in-home care to seniors within this region. If you’re curious about how in-home care can benefit your family, feel free to get in touch with us.

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