Relief for Family Caregivers

Many family member caregivers struggle to balance work, their own household obligations, and the care their senior family member needs. They often forget about taking the time to care for themselves! Being a caregiver can be very rewarding but also very stressful and difficult.  They don’t have to do it alone!

Have your heard about Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waivers from MO HealthNet for seniors? This program provides financial assistance for in home care services and was implemented to help keep seniors at home for as long as possible. Studies show seniors do better mentally and physically when they are able to stay in a home environment.

Each applicant is evaluated and may be approved for different services depending on his or her needs. These needs can include personal or attendant care, which consists of the following:

• Aid with activities of daily living, such as taking a bath, getting dressed, grooming, and mobility.
• Homemaker services, like assistance with cleaning, laundry, shopping, and cooking.
• Respite care for caregivers, both in the home or in adult day care.
• Nursing services are also covered.

There are a lot of myths and misinformation floating around about the program qualification process. For married couples, Missouri has rules in place to protect a “well” spouse from becoming impoverished by the care expenses of a spouse that needs long term care. The laws change frequently affecting covered services and who can qualify. Joplin Elder Law can help sort through the confusion and guide you through the process to qualify and apply for the HCBS program.

If the time comes that a skilled nursing facility is unavoidable, being qualified for HCBS also means that the senior is qualified for MO HealthNet vendor benefits to help pay for their stay at the facility. Utilizing this valuable service can provide relief now and avoid future worries over the cost of future long term care.

In addition to helping seniors qualify and apply for the HCBS program, Joplin Elder Law can connect you with other support and resources for family caregivers. Call us today, or fill out the form below, for more information or to schedule a free consultation.