According to the World Health Organization, by 2050, 1 out of every five people will be over 60. With this change in demographics, new problems will arise, not least of which is the need for quality care for our elderly and disabled populations.
Consider those family caregivers providing an estimated $600 billion worth of unpaid services every year, equivalent to around 18 hours of care weekly. On top of this, data shows that this value is rising yearly and doesn’t even account for the complexity of work these dedicated family members perform or the financial sacrifices they make to do it.
Fortunately, Georgia has a Structured Family Caregiver Program (SFC) designed to help ease some of the burdens and provide support for those taking care of older adults or those with a diagnosed disability.
In this guide, you will learn about the benefits, eligibility criteria, services provided, and some pros and cons of participating in this program. When you’re done reading this article, you should better understand how Georgia’s structured family caregiver program could benefit you or someone close to you.
So, if you’re ready to discover more about what this program can offer – let’s get started!
What is a Structured Family Caregiver?
The SFC is offered in Georgia and provides financial and support services to families who provide at-home care for an elderly or disabled loved one.
This can include assisting with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and meal preparation, as well as emotional support.
The Structured Family Caregiver Program recognizes the sacrifices made by families in these care situations and offers them valuable resources to help ease their burden.
Who is Eligible?
If you’re providing care for a family member in Georgia, its caregiver program can help. To be eligible for the program, your loved one must:
- Have difficulty with daily living activities such as dressing and bathing
- Meet Medicaid eligibility requirements in Georgia
- Be a participant in either the Community Care Services Program (CCSP) or SOURCE Waiver Program
- Reside with the person providing their daily care
- Are related either biologically or by marriage to the person you are caring for
If you and your loved one meet these criteria, you could be eligible to receive the support and assistance this program offers.
Benefits of SFC
There are many benefits you will experience by accessing structured family care. When you register with the program, you will:
- Receive the self-direction that you need: The program provides control and flexibility over your care arrangements so that you can make decisions about how and when it is delivered. You remain in charge of essential aspects of your life while receiving quality care from a loved one.
- Get access to quality care services: The SFC offers a variety of services tailored to caregivers, including respite, training, and support groups. You can pick the right services for you to receive care when needed.
- Stay connected with your community: Structured services in Georgia provide family caregivers with access to social events, activities, and classes tailored to their needs, helping them stay connected with their community.
By taking advantage of the Georgia SFC, you can get the quality care services you need while still having control over important aspects of your life.
Services Provided by SFC
Through Georgia’s innovative program, families can receive help with a variety of activities, including the following:
- Activities of daily living such as using the toilet, mobility, bathing, eating, dressing, hygiene, and grooming
- Instrumental activities of daily living like housekeeping, laundry shopping, or paying bills
- Watching for symptoms of illness and monitoring medication or medical devices
- Training when it comes to hiring, managing, and firing care attendants
With so many services available, the SFC program is an invaluable asset to families in Georgia.
Who Can Be a Caregiver?
Not everyone can be a caregiver; specific requirements must be met. To be registered and paid to care for your loved one, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the legal right to work in the United States
If this sounds like it may be up your alley, keep reading to learn more about what being an SFC caregiver entails.
The Application Process
It can be overwhelming to think about applying for government and state-run programs, but using FreedomCare to set everything up is easy and stress-free.
- Contact FreedomCare to begin the application process.
- A social worker or nurse will interview you to assess whether you are medically eligible for the program or at immediate risk of being institutionalized.
- Once determined eligible, a case manager will be assigned to you to assist you in qualifying for the SFC program.
- Lastly, a Freedom Care Representative will reach out to schedule orientation to help you get started on your SFC journey.
When you apply for SFC through FreedomCare, you can rest assured that we’ll take care of all the details, allowing you to focus on what really matters, your loved ones.
Family Members as Caregivers
Being cared for by a family member allows you to have the loving and personalized attention of a close relative familiar with your family and your needs. This kind of caregiver can be more understanding, compassionate, and willing to fulfill any special requests or tasks you may need.
There is less stress associated with being cared for by a family member since they are already part of the family dynamic, so communication tends to flow more easily between everyone involved.
And the best part is, that your caregiver will be paid weekly to take care of you!
Who Can Be a Caregiver?
As we’ve stated previously, to become a caregiver, you must be 18 or older, legally able to work in the US, and not excluded from the Medicaid program. On top of these stipulations, you must also:
- Live with the recipient
- Be related biologically (i.e., child, grandchild, daughter, son, niece, nephew)
- Be related through marriage (i.e., daughter-in-law or son-in-law)
- Have no other job either outside the home Not attend school outside of the home
- NOT be a legal guardian
- NOT be the spouse of the person receiving care
Ultimately, this program provides invaluable support to Georgia families who need it most.
Benefits of Using Freedom Care as a Fiscal Intermediary and Caregiver Coach
FreedomCare offers a number of benefits to family caregivers that make it an attractive option as a fiscal intermediary. With FreedomCare, you will receive the following:
- A tax-free financial stipend every week with direct deposit for your caregiving services
- Ongoing coaching and guidance from one of our qualified and professional health coaches
- A daily personalized care plan crafted by our medical staff for your loved one
- Direct access via telephone or email to your health coach
- The option to speak to a doctor for no fee
With FreedomCare, you can rest assured knowing you are receiving the best service and support available.
Choose FreedomCare as Your Fiscal Intermediary
Georgia’s Structured Family Caregiver program is an excellent way for families to provide the care their loved ones need. With FreedomCare, you can be sure your family member will receive compassionate and individualized care in a safe and secure environment.
Over 70,000 customers have already joined the FreedomCare family, where a family or friend gets paid to look after their loved one. And with FreedomCare’s caregiver wellness support programs and on-time payouts, you can rest easy knowing that your loved one is receiving quality care while maintaining independence and choice.
To see if you are eligible for this program, contact us today to start living a better tomorrow.