The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program provides primary caregivers with a break from caregiving (respite care), reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies, education, training, counseling, and more. The program aims to alleviate the stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver.
The program is administered by your local Area Agency on Aging. Each caregiver is assigned a care manager who will come to the care receivers’ home, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the caregiver, provide support, and work with them to develop a person-centered plan of care.
The basic components of the Caregiver Support Program are:
- A comprehensive assessment of the needs of the care receiver.
- A comprehensive assessment of the care giving environment.
- The development of a care plan responsive to the caregivers needs and burdens.
- Ongoing casework services as needs arise.
- Benefits counseling.
- Caregiver training and education.
- Financial assistance with ongoing care giving expenses.
- Home modifications and assistive devices that will help the older individual to remain at home.
The Caregiver Support Program has the following unique characteristics:
- The emphasis is on the caregiver as the consumer.
- The comprehensive integration of service and financial incentives used to care for relatives at home.
- Giving caregivers more choice in the selection of available support and their source through direct reimbursement for care giving expenses.
- The use of a cost-shared benefit plan which permits the extension of the program to middle income families.
Eligibility
Both the caregiver and care receiver must be a resident of Pennsylvania and must participate in a needs assessment conducted by their local Area Agency on Aging. The caregiver must be an adult who is primarily responsible for providing care on a regular basis, and meet one of the following eligibility categories:
| Category 1 | |
|---|---|
| Caregiver is: |
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| Care Receiver is: |
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| *In this category the caregiver and care receiver are not required to be related or live in the same residence | |
| Category 2 | |
|---|---|
| Caregiver is: | An individual age 55 and older |
| Care Receiver is: | A dependent child under age 18 |
| *In this category the caregiver and care receiver must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and live in the same residence | |
| Category 3 | |
|---|---|
| Caregiver is: | An individual age 55 and older |
| Care Receiver is: | An individual age 18-59 with a disability (cannot be dementia related) |
| *In this category the caregiver and care receiver must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and live in the same residence | |
There is no financial eligibility requirement for the Caregiver Support Program. However, the amount of reimbursement is based on the income and household size of the care receiver. The percentage of reimbursement is determined using a sliding scale based on the current Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines and covers care receiver incomes up to 380% of the FPL. Those whose income is 200% or below the FPL receive 100% reimbursement. Those whose income is just under 380% of the FPL receive 10% reimbursement. Those whose income falls between 200% and 380% receive a percentage within that range. Those whose income is over 380% of the FPL receive no financial reimbursement, but can utilize other support services through the program.
Individuals are not eligible for the Caregiver Support Program if:
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- The caregiver or care receiver are enrolled in Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (Aging Waiver, Community HealthChoices, LIFE)
- The caregiver has been convicted of or found liable for a crime relating to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment
- The caregiver is a perpetrator in a substantiated report of need for older adults protective services
Local Support Groups
Brookville Area Dementia Support Group
Online Caregiver Support
Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
Family Caregiver Alliance www.caregiver.org
Generations United www.gu.org
Careing.com www.careing.com
Information on how to form your own support group can be found at https://www.caregiver.org/how-form-support-group-families-brain-impaired-adults