Can You Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in Missouri?
If you're already helping a parent, grandparent, adult child, sibling or other loved one with everyday activities, you may be wondering: Can I get paid to take care of my family member in Missouri?
For some Missouri families, the answer is yes.
Missouri's Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program allows eligible individuals with physical disabilities to receive assistance with everyday activities while choosing who provides their care. In many situations, that caregiver can be a family member or someone the individual already knows and trusts.
At A1 Home Care, we help Missouri families understand Consumer Directed Services and navigate the process of getting started.
How Does Missouri's Paid Family Caregiver Program Work?
- Consumer Directed Services is a Medicaid-funded program designed to help eligible individuals remain independent in their own homes rather than receiving care in an institutional setting. One of the biggest differences between CDS and traditional home care is choice. With CDS, the person receiving services can choose the individual who will provide their authorized care. That could be a: Son or daughter Parent Brother or sister Grandchild Other relative Friend Trusted individual Under Missouri CDS rules, however, a spouse or legal guardian cannot serve as the paid CDS attendant. This flexibility can be especially valuable for families who are already providing care without compensation.
What Can a Paid Family Caregiver Help With?
The specific services and number of hours a person receives depend on their individual assessment and authorized care plan.
Depending on the participant's needs, assistance may include everyday activities such as:
Bathing and personal hygiene
Dressing and grooming
Mobility assistance
Meal preparation and help with eating
Laundry
Household chores
Other authorized activities necessary for daily living
CDS isn't designed to replace skilled nursing or other services that must be performed by a licensed medical professional. The caregiver's responsibilities are based on the services authorized for the participant.
Who Qualifies for Consumer Directed Services in Missouri?
CDS isn't automatically available simply because someone needs help at home.
Missouri's program has eligibility requirements. Generally, an individual must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a physical disability
Have active Missouri Medicaid coverage with an appropriate eligibility category
Require assistance with activities of daily living
Meet Missouri's required level of care
Be able to direct and manage their own care
Missouri uses an assessment process to determine eligibility and the amount and type of assistance a person needs.
If you're unsure whether you or your family member qualifies, you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
HeadingCan I Get Paid If I Already Take Care of My Mom or Dad?
Potentially.
If your parent qualifies for Consumer Directed Services and chooses you as their attendant, you may be able to become their paid caregiver after the CDS enrollment and employment requirements have been completed.
However, CDS generally does not provide retroactive payment simply because you were already helping your family member before services were authorized.
That's why it's important to begin the eligibility process rather than assuming your family doesn't qualify.
What If I Live With the Person I'm Caring For?
Living with your family member does not necessarily prevent you from becoming their CDS attendant.
The important questions are whether the person receiving care qualifies for CDS and whether the person they want to hire meets Missouri's requirements for an attendant.
Who Handles the Caregiver's Pay?
The participant selects an enrolled CDS provider, such as A1 Home Care, to help administer the program.
The participant remains in control of their care and chooses and supervises their attendant. The CDS provider handles administrative responsibilities such as processing payroll for the caregiver.
That means families can maintain control over who provides the care while receiving support with the administrative side of the CDS program.
You May Already Be Providing the Care. Find Out If CDS Can Help.
Many Missouri families spend countless hours helping loved ones remain safe and independent at home without realizing that Consumer Directed Services may be available to them.
If you're caring for a parent, adult child, sibling, grandparent or another loved one, A1 Home Care can help you understand the next steps.
Talk to A1 Home Care today to find out whether Consumer Directed Services may be an option for your family.