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Winthrop Caregivers Can Receive Financial Assistance
Through Special State Programs
Caregiving is one of life’s most important activities, but it can have serious financial and emotional consequences for individuals who take on the responsibility. In-home services can help relieve some of the stress, but there are also new programs that can help with the financial burden by actually paying family members or other caregivers who provide care.
Massachusetts families caring for a disabled or elderly relative can receive assistance through the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and the Adult Family Care Program (AFC).
The MassHealth Adult Family Care Program matches individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living with host families who provide those services in a home setting. Services can include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, incontinence management and other personal care. Most family members can serve as hosts, as they are called in the program, and can receive up to $18,000 to provide care that prevents or delays institutional care.
The Personal Care Attendant Program (PCA) allows the consumer to have control over the design and delivery of their own personal care services. With the help of staff, the consumer or designated adult, hires, trains, and supervises the PCA who can provide a range of personal care services, including: bathing, dressing, taking medication, eating, ambulating, transferring, toileting, exercising, and performing other medically necessary tasks. He or she may also be authorized to assist with housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation.
A paid PCA can be a partner, neighbor, friend, or someone else the consumer recruits. A PCA can also be a family member with the exceptions of spouse, legal guardian, surrogate, and parent of a minor, including adoptive and foster parents. The PCA must be legally eligible for employment in Massachusetts and is paid $10.84/hour.
To find out if you or a family member qualifies for either of these programs, please call the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151.
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