Massachusetts Pilot Project Will Pay Relatives $18,000 Annually To Care For Elderly, Disabled

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging;  Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 29 Nov 2006 - 19:00 PDT

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Massachusetts on Dec. 1 will launch a pilot project that will pay family members about $18,000 annually to care for an elderly relative or a relative with a disability at home, the Boston Globe reports. The program, which was enacted by the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the state Office of Medicaid, will expand the definition of caregiver to include most family members and friends, other than a spouse, parent or legally responsible relative. The program will be administered by MassHealth and financial eligibility will be determined based on assets and income. MassHealth expects about 30 new enrollees each month, the Globe reports. To be eligible for the program, participants must require physical assistance with at least three basic activities -- such as bathing, dressing and eating -- or require assistance with managing behaviors like wandering or being verbally abusive or disruptive, according to EOEA Secretary Jennifer Davis Carey. The program also will provide caregivers access to health professionals through SeniorLink, a nationwide network of credentialed care managers. The state Legislature has agreed to provide at least $2 million annually for the program. Al Norman -- executive director of Mass Home Care, an association of not-for-profit health care providers -- said, "Even with the $18,000, if you think of it as a wage, it's still abysmally low, but this is the best we can do," adding, "We're going to improve on it and build on it in time" (Simpson, Boston Globe, 11/22).

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