Caregivers: Get Paid for Your Caregiving
Caregivers can now get paid for providing care to a loved one (spouse excluded), friend or neighbor under the following FCHCC programs: Home Care, Respite, Adult Family Care, Personal Care Assistance, and Caregiver Grants.
AARP recently released a 2011 national update on "The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving." This study suggests that in 2009 the unpaid work provided by family caregivers was about $450 billion, or 4 times what Medicaid spent on long term supports directly. Specific numbers for Massachusetts suggest that there are 858,000 caregivers at any given time, providing 821 million hours of care per year, and the value of the care they provide is $10.9 billion a year.
The study estimates that family caregivers over the age of 50 today who leave the workforce to care for an elderly relative can expect to lose $115,000 in wages, $138,000 in Social Security benefits and $50,000 in pension benefits.
Let our Resource Consultants find the best way for you to get paid for the care you provide. Call our Information & Caregiver Resource Center 800-732-4636, or 413-773-5555, or 978-544-2259, or TDD 413-772-6566, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or
Send us e-mail Updated June 2011