Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) is one of the best ways for families to work together to make sure a loved one gets the support they need, without major financial repercussions. However, many families have questions about structured family caregiving, which is why we are here to answer all of your questions.
What is Structured Family Caregiving?
Structured Family Caregiving provides financial and supportive services for family and non-family caregivers who dedicate their time to care for their loved ones. This is not a standalone program but instead, a benefit that is associated with the state of Indiana’s Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver. The Structured Family Caregiving program allows a caregiver to receive financial compensation for their work as a familial caregiver to offset the costs associated with being a full-time care provider.
The greatest benefit of this program is that many individuals can get in-home care from a family member or loved one when they need it the most.
How does SFC work?
Many people are entirely new to the concept of Structured Family Caregiving and have questions about how it works. Structured Family Caregiving opportunities work in the following way:
- An elderly caregiver either moves into the home of an elderly or disabled individual; or the reverse can happen and the care recipient moves into the caregiver’s home.
- The care provider receives financial compensation for providing care to the elderly individual who otherwise may require care in a nursing home.
- The in-home caregiver continues to receive ongoing educational support from our Care team.
In many situations, families find this is the best of all worlds as they know their loved one is getting the care and support that they need from someone they trust while offsetting the costs of a caregiver leaving their job or paying for nursing home care.
Who Can Be A Caregiver?
You do not have to have experience or formal training to be a caregiver through this benefit program. Anyone over the age of 18 that lives with the participant can be a caregiver. They don’t have to be related to qualify, anyone who is willing to step into this role can qualify for the benefits program.
Benefits of SFC
There are financial benefits involved with starting Structured Family Caregiving, where previously, loved ones did not have any financial compensation for providing this type of care. However, there are additional perks of enrolling in these programs.
- They allow those in need of care to stay in a comfortable and familiar environment.
- The care is self-directed.
- Individuals can receive the personalized and customized care that they need.
- Care can change as needed.
- Those in need of care can feel as though they have more independence by not going into a nursing home.
- Loved ones can feel more confident because they know the individual providing care.
With so many benefits involved with this situation, it’s easy to see why Structured Family Caregiving is becoming a more popular option for all types of families.
Services Provided by SFC Caregivers
As a full-time caregiver involved in a Structured Family Caregiver program, care providers will provide the following types of services to their loved ones in need:
- Activities of Daily Living. This includes assistance with toileting, bathing, eating, dressing, hygiene, and grooming.
- Mobility Assistance. This means help getting around the home and going out in public safely.
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. This means housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and paying bills.
- Watching for symptoms. This means looking for signs of illness and monitoring of medication/medical devices.
Of course, in some situations, caregivers may need to provide additional care-related services to the individual they are looking after.
Who Can Apply
There are certain criteria that individuals need to meet if they want to participate in the Structured Family Caregiving program. This includes the following:
- Must qualify for Medicaid
- Live in Indiana
- Need help with day-to-day activities
- Able to direct your care/services (if not, have an individual representative to appointed)
- Over 65 or aged 18-64 and have a recognized disability, and meet the requirements of the Aged and Disabled Waiver
Any individual meeting those criteria is welcome to apply for this program.
The Application Process
FreedomCare is partnered with the 16 AAA (Area Agencies on Aging) to make this benefits program possible. These are some of the things you need to prove as part of the application process:
- That you live in the state of Indiana.
- That you live in the same house as the caregiver (either in their home or your own)
- That you are eligible for Medicaid or already have Medicaid.
- That you meet the requirements for the Aged and Disabled Waiver.
You must fill out all of this information in the required forms, which will be provided by Freedomcare, as part of the application process.
Benefits of Using FreedomCare as a Fiscal Intermediary and Caregiver Support
Here are some of the benefits of using FreedomCare as a fiscal intermediary. This includes the following:
- A tax-free, financial stipend paid weekly and direct deposited for your caregiving services
- Coaching and guidance from our professional health coach.
- Daily personalized care plan to follow developed for your loved one by our medical staff.
- Telephone and email access to directly connect you with your health coach.
This program also offers caregiver support services and guaranteed on-time payments—offering caregivers peace of mind as they enter into a new caregiving experience.