Are you able to get Medicaid to pay a family member to be your caregiver and not a stranger?

If you are eligible for assitance, it is very likely that your friend can be paid for providing it.

Here is how it worked for us. My mother is eligible for homemaker assistance -- light cleaning of her tiny apartment, laundry, changing bedding, etc. My brother is disabled, needs to work a minimal amount per week, as is able to do these tasks. The Elderly Waiver program my mother is on uses certain agencies. They directed my brother to apply at one of the agencies. They told the agency they already had one assignment for him, and that he would not be taking on any other clients. Brother filled out their forms, went through minimal training (not on how to make beds -- things like client confidentiality, appropriate behavior in client house, etc.), and has been performing the job for about a year. He gets his check through the agency.

I'm not sure if this is exactly how it will work in your county, but I offer this example to encourage you to discuss it with your case worker. I'm sure there will be a way to have someone familiar providing your services.

Tell us how this all works out for you. We learn from each other, and your experience will help others.

Check with your local area of aging or someone from medicaid my help. Ask for the "essential person form" I just got that today, not sure what it covers but I'm sending it out.. Good luck.

I am actually trying to find out if they will pay me to take care of my dad who recently moved in. I need to work so it's been tough and getting scary without my income. If I found anything out I will let you know.