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Caregiver Support

Get tips and information to help you care for your loved one with special medical needs, including programs for family members of veterans and people with disabilities to get paid to provide care.

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Help and Support for Caregivers

As a caregiver for a parent, spouse, or child with special needs, you may need help. These resources and suggestions can help you find emotional and task support. 

Federal Government Caregiver Resources

  • Alzheimer’s Caregiving - Find out from the National Institute on Aging how to be a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Learn skills for  coping with a loved one’s behavioral changes.

  • Caregiver Resources - The National Institute of Health's MedlinePlus site has an overview of caregiver services. It also offers  resources to help you protect your own health.

  • Caring for the Caregiver - This resource from the National Cancer Institute is for family and friends who are caring for a person with cancer. 

  • Managing Someone Else’s Money Guide - The family member you're caring for may not be able to handle their bills themselves. Get information about managing their finances from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

  • The VA Caregiver Support Line helps people caring for veterans. Find services and benefits for your loved one and get support for yourself.

  • Office of Women’s Health Caregiver Page - Get tips on how to prevent or relieve caregiver stress and how to find and pay for home health care services.

State and Local Caregiver Support Resources

  • Finding Local Services - Use this list from the Department of Health and Human Services to find a variety of government and non-government resources. Compare home health agencies, or use the Eldercare Locator to connect with senior services. 

Additional Support for Caregivers

If you're not able to leave your loved one at home but need emotional support, an online support group might be a good option. Be careful not to give out detailed personal, medical, or financial information to anyone online to protect against fraud or scams.

Get Paid as a Caregiver for a Family Member

A caregiver helps a person with special medical needs in performing daily activities. Tasks include shopping for food and cooking, cleaning the house, and giving medicine. Many government programs allow family members of veterans and people with disabilities to get paid for caring for them.

  • The Medicaid Self-Directed Care program lets qualified people manage their own health services. It also lets them hire family members as caregivers in some states. 
  • The Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program offers veterans a flexible budget. This allows them to choose goods and services they find most useful, including hiring a family member or neighbor as a personal care aide.
  • Aid and Attendance benefits for veterans work in conjunction with a VA pension. These benefits help cover the costs of a caregiver, who may be a family member. Contact the VA pension management center in your area for rules and conditions.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance allows family members to be paid as caregivers. But some policies won’t pay family members who live with the person they’re caring for. Contact your family member's insurance agent for more information. You can also ask the agent for a written confirmation of benefits.
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Last Updated: August 26, 2020

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