A GUIDE AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Michael T. Braden September 13, 2026 WHAT IS MEDICARE

A GUIDE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Photo of Braden Medicare Insurance's Caregiver Support Poster

Full Disclosure, we have been working to keep my 92-year-old mother-in-law safe at home for the past 3 years, following a fall that resulted in a broken femur and hip displacement.  What has followed is an ever-changing need to adapt to changes in Mom’s body that have led to her being unable to care for herself, and she is completely reliant on her caregivers.  Thank God we have been blessed with the best group of women to split Mom’s care, with a great company behind them.

As a Medicare Broker, I have been the point person for Mom’s caregivers, maintaining her home and meeting her ever-changing healthcare needs. Mom has been homebound the last two years, and so we have a Primary Care Provider who visits her once a month; we had Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists using Medicare’s Home Health, and just recently moved Mom to Hospice care, not because of anything dire, but she just gets more benefits and better care and support for her caregivers by moving to Hospice. 

People have told me that Medicare has been very confusing for the past 11 years, and I get it, but understanding how Medicare interacts with Caregivers at home has been just as confusing at times. There is a lot to tackle, and this article aims to remind people they are not alone; help is available from a variety of local, state, and federal agencies. And, for anyone who has not had the honor to experience what caring for a loved one at home is all about, God bless the caregivers whom we entrust with the care and well-being of our loved ones!

A GUIDE AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Family caregivers often bear significant financial and physical burdens. A range of federal, state, and nonprofit programs exist to provide relief - from direct financial assistance to free respite care and training programs.

The most important thing to know is that assistance availability varies significantly by state. Programs like Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers can pay family caregivers in some states but not others. Always check your state's specific offerings.

MEDICARE COVERED SERVICES TO HELP CAREGIVERS

While Medicare doesn't pay caregivers directly, it covers services that reduce the caregiving burden:

• HOME HEALTH CARE

Skilled nursing, physical therapy, and home health aide visits for homebound beneficiaries (Part A/B).

• HOSPICE RESPITE CARE

Up to 5 consecutive days of inpatient respite care per period so caregivers can rest (Part A hospice benefit).

• ADULT DAY SERVICES

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover adult day programs, which provide structured daytime care and give caregivers a break.

• TELEHEALTH SERVICES

Remote monitoring and virtual visits reduce the need for caregivers to transport loved ones to appointments.

Photo of Braden Medicare Insurance's Family Members Paying It Forward By Caring For Their Aging Spouses, Parents and Loved Ones Poster

MEDICAID PROGRAMS THAT PAY CAREGIVERS

Medicaid offers several programs that can pay family caregivers, depending on the state:

• CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (CDPAP)

Available in New York and similar programs in other states. Allows beneficiaries to hire, train, and supervise their own caregivers - including family members.

• HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES (HCBS)

State-specific Medicaid waivers that fund personal care, homemaker services, and sometimes allow family members to be paid caregivers.

• PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (PACE)

Comprehensive care program for nursing-home-eligible individuals that includes caregiver support services.

FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS

• NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM (NFCSP)

This program is funded by the Older Americans Act and provides information, counseling, respite care, and supplemental services through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

• VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) CAREGIVER SUPPORT

The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides a monthly stipend, health insurance, and mental health services to caregivers of eligible veterans.

• TAX DEDUCTIONS

 Caregivers may be able to deduct medical expenses paid on behalf of a dependent parent or claim the Dependent Care Tax Credit. Consult a tax professional.

• FMLA LEAVE

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a seriously ill family member.

COMMON QUESTIONS RELATED TO CAREGIVERS

Can I Get Paid to Care for My Elderly Parent on Medicare?

Medicare itself does not pay family caregivers. However, if your parent also has Medicaid, some state Medicaid programs allow beneficiaries to hire family members as paid personal care attendants. Contact your state's Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging to explore options.

What is Respite Care and Does Medicare Cover It?

Respite care is temporary relief for primary caregivers. Medicare covers up to 5 consecutive days of inpatient respite care per period under the hospice benefit (Part A). Outside of hospice, Medicare Advantage plans may cover adult day services or short-term nursing facility stays as respite.

How do I Find Caregiver Assistance Programs in My Area?

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.acl.gov). AAAs coordinate local services including respite care, meal delivery, transportation, and caregiver training. Your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) can also help navigate Medicare benefits.

WRAPPING THINGS UP

We know this was a short article, but we hope it delivered useful, timely information about the resources available, especially for family member caregivers.  Caregiving takes patience, commitment, and love, and it requires caregivers to stay alert for both sudden and subtle changes in behavior and actions they observe in their loved ones. Sometimes, they just need help for a few days so they can decompress and take care of their own needs.  Staying balanced is all part of being your best for your loved ones.  We salute all Caregivers, and in particular those who selflessly care for their own aging parents...

If you have ORIGINAL MEDICARE coverage, there is a lot of information on the Medicare Website at www.medicare.gov. For those of you who have a Medicare Advantage Plan, please refer to your plan's detailed EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE (EOC) to see what help is available for the members.  You can also check with your State’s Medicaid office to see if you qualify for state-specific benefits geared towards Family Caregivers.

At Braden Medicare Insurance Services, we recommend that every Medicare beneficiary work with a licensed, independent Medicare broker in your area.  Interviewing them is quick and easy so that you can feel comfortable.  There is no charge for their Medicare knowledge and experience.  You will always decide which plan/option is best for you. Let your Medicare Broker do the heavy lifting; that is what they do, 24/7. If you are not sure how to find a local independent Medicare Broker near you, Michael Braden, the owner of Braden Medicare Insurance Services, invites you to email him directly at mike@bradenmedicare.com or call him directly at (480) 225-1393.

You can also call Medicare directly with questions at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit the Medicare.gov website to start a live chat. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.