CDPAP is a program that allows people who require home care to hire their preferred caregiver. Probably it’s your first time hearing about the CDPAP program and you have plenty of questions to ask about it.
This guide will help you understand how this program works and the roles that a CDPAP caregiver plays.
What is a CDPAP Caregiver?
The term “CDPAP” stands for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. This is a New York State Medicaid Program that allows you to employ your own home caregiver. The key feature of this program is that you can recruit your family members and friends as your caregiver.
This way, your loved ones and friends, who wish to look after you irrespective of the situation, receive payment for the care they provide. On the other hand, you, being the patient, enjoy the comfort of working with someone you know and trust in your own home.
The CDPAP caregiver role is open to the wider population. Here are some of the eligibility requirements in becoming one:
· The consumer (the person who requires home care) must be ready to employ you
· You must be of legal working age
· You must have the authorization to work in the USA
· You must sign up an application package with the consumer’s fiscal intermediary
· You must complete a physical exam, including drug screening and blood tests
· You must complete payroll paperwork
There are multiple reasons why a patient might need the help of a caregiver around the comfort of your home. Read on to find out.
Why Would One Need Home Care?
· Personal care: You don’t need to adjust to the routines and schedules of a nursing facility. A home care plan can always be customized to suit the patient’s personal needs. This may mean assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding.
And since the attention of the caregiver is focused completely on one patient, the patient’s needs are met a lot faster than if you were in a nursing facility.
· Household care: This entails help with general house cleaning and tidying so that the consumer can live in a clean environment.
· Health care: The caregiver reminds the patient when to take medication. CDPAP caregivers may also help with administering the medicine and accompany patients to doctor’s appointments.
· Emotional care: The caregiver becomes a stable companion because of the amount of time he or she spends with the patient. In many cases, the caregiver becomes a trusted confidant, sharing the patient’s joys and fears. This is because caregivers provide a listening ear, words of encouragement, and support.
The duties and responsibilities of a caregiver often vary from one patient to another. This is because it all depends on the relationship between the caregiver and the person that needs home care, as well as the level of support they need. Read on to find out some of the basic tasks of a caregiver.
What are the Basic Tasks of a CDPAP Caregiver?
· Bathing: Based on the individual needs of the patient, the caregiver will determine the best bathing method. Options include bathing assistance in a bathtub, shower, basin, and a bed bath. The caregiver also tests and regulates the water temperature before the patient gets into the shower.
· Feeding: The caregiver dedicates sufficient time to feeding their patient. Feeding tasks may involve cutting food into small pieces, depending on the patient’s condition, for easy digestion. CDPAP caregivers also give the patient easy-to-hold eating aids and ensure that the patient is positioned comfortably while feeding.
· Dressing: Before helping a patient get dressed, the caregiver should show the outfit to the patient to make sure he or she approves. A caregiver shouldn’t rush through this process. Instead, he or she should maintain a steady pace while pulling clothing on or off.
· Bathroom needs: Depending on the consumer’s condition, the caregiver may accompany him or her to the bathroom regularly. Once in the bathroom, the caregiver may provide further assistance through instructions ‘the toilet is behind you’ or ‘crouch slowly.’ The caregiver then gives the patient enough time to perform the said task.
· Cooking: Caregivers must make sure the patient sticks to the dietary restrictions put in place by his or her doctor. Caregivers can help with planning and preparing nutritious meals as well.
· Cleaning: This entails keeping the house and garden clean from any junk or clutter. Caregivers must be prepared to do these tasks on a daily or weekly basis.
· Laundry: The caregiver washes clothes and beddings so that the consumer can always wear clean clothes and sleep in fresh linen. They can also fold up clothes once these are dry.
· Shopping: CDPAP caregivers can assist with choosing the right groceries and other essential items from the supermarket. They can also accompany patients to shopping malls and other stores. In case the patient is unable to leave the house, he or she can just give the caregiver a list of items to buy.
· Medication management: Caregivers can help administer the right dosage of medication and remind patients when to take medicine. This is especially helpful for patients with treatment plans that require them to take medicine on a regular schedule.
· Doctor’s appointments: Patients will always benefit from having a companion during doctor’s visits. The caregiver can be there to provide patients with companionship and receive instructions from the doctor if needed.
· Physical therapy: The objective of physical therapy is to alleviate the patient’s pain and restore full mobility. So a caregiver may give massages and help with walking aids designed with the patient’s specific needs in mind.
· Companionship: Like other caregivers, CDPAP caregivers provide physical and emotional support. This involves offering words of encouragement and comfort. This way, caregivers are able to build trust and confidence in patients.
The Bottom Line
Caregivers do an important job in making everyday life easier for the elderly, sick, or disabled And thanks to the CDPAP program, you can now get paid for caring for someone you love. This is also an advantage to your loved ones since they get to be taken care of by someone they feel more comfortable with.
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