With approximately 16% of New York’s population 65+ years old and over 25% on Medicaid, the need for home health care is increasing. If you are considering hiring a professional caregiver to provide assistance for a senior or anyone on Medicaid, you might not be aware of how much the industry has evolved. In the past, your only option was to contact an agency or a social worker, who would arrange for a stranger to come into your home. Now, however, because of New York’s CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program), you have a potentially better choice: if you are on Medicaid, you can hire and direct your own personal assistant. Below, Home Care Advisory Group details the facts about CDPAP and gives suggestions for how to choose the right caregiver.
The basic facts about the CDPAP
What is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program?
Simply put, CDPAP helps people who are on Medicaid and need long-term home care. Anyone who is eligible, or who they designate as their representative, can hire, train, and supervise the personal assistant of their choosing.
Who is eligible for CDPAP?
The program’s guidelines stipulate that any person who qualifies for CDPAP will:
- Be on Medicaid
- Have a stable health condition
- Need help with daily tasks or skilled care
- Be able to make decisions for themselves and/or have a representative who can follow the program’s rules
Where can CDPAP’s home care services be used?
As long as the participant is on Medicaid, they can access CDPAP anywhere in the state of New York.
Can family members be a personal assistant in CDPAP? What about licensing requirements?
Most family members qualify to be a caregiver, though there are some notable exceptions:
- Spouses cannot provide care for each other.
- If a child is under 21, their parents cannot be their personal assistant.
Regarding certifications or specialized training, so long as the person is legally able to work in the state of New York, they do not require any.
What exactly can a CDPAP personal assistant do? Are they paid?
A directed caregiver can perform both basic and specialized services, including wound care, insulin shots, and other tasks. And, yes, the person will be paid for their work. Exactly how much varies from person to person, depending on how many hours they will be working each day or week.
What to consider before enrolling in CDPAP
At Home Care Advisory Group, we have worked extensively with CDPAP, and we believe that having accurate information will help you understand the process and make the right choice for yourself. As you think about whether CDPAP is the best option, here are a few points to keep in mind.
Pros:
- No strangers in the person’s home. That alone can be a big relief for many people.
- No specialized training required. While this could make some individuals hesitate, remember that many tasks become routine within a few days or weeks of performing them.
- More privacy. The person may feel more comfortable allowing a family member or loved one to take care of them vs. a stranger.
Cons:
- When a caregiver cannot come, the consumer or their representative will need to find their replacement.
- Any background checks will need to be handled by the consumer or their representative.
Some questions to ask yourself as you consider enrolling in CDPAP
Now that you understand the basics about CDPAP, including its potential advantages and disadvantages, Home Care Advisory Group would like to offer you some questions that may help you determine whether a person is the right caregiver for you. In our experience, the best home care partnerships happen when everyone is clear about their expectations and abilities from the outset.
- For the consumer:
- How often do I need someone to come to my home?
- What do I need help doing? At what time of the day or night?
- Will I be more comfortable with a man or woman in my home?
- How will I locate a temporary caregiver if the other person is sick, must travel, etc.?
- Do I have good communication with the person I am considering as my caregiver?
- For the caregiver:
- How often does the person travel?
- Do they have access to reliable transportation?
- How far away do they live?
The answers to those questions will give you a more realistic view of the potential caregiver and help you to choose the right one.
Other practical, effective options in addition to CDPAP
Don’t worry if the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program isn’t quite right for your situation. New Yorkers on Medicaid have plenty of other options for non-medical home care services, including Home Care For Adults. The agency’s experienced caregivers are able to smoothly step into the life of your loved one and take on the heavy lifting, including:
- Live-in care
- Personal hygiene
- Dementia care
- Companion care at home
- Personal care
- Respite care
- Mobility assistance
- Senior care advocacy
At the center of their work to help individuals who are struggling with life’s challenges is empathy, dignity, and respect. Please feel free to reach out to them to learn more about your options. Remember: knowledge is power, and Home Care For Adults will help you understand what is the right home care alternative for your situation.
The next steps to take to enroll in CDPAP
The senior care industry can be overwhelming and seem to be a maze of regulations. At Home Care Advisory Group, we strive to go the extra mile and take the burden off the shoulders of our clients. Feel free to reach out to us with your questions about CDPAP, including the forms that you will need and the path to enrollment. Or, feel free to visit our program page and get a more in-depth look into directed home care.
Home Care Advisory Group will be your guide throughout the whole process and do all the heavy lifting for you. We will address your concerns, answer all of your questions, and provide reassurance. Your enrollment in CDPAP will go like clockwork and lead to the best possible outcome: your chosen personal assistant helping your senior inside their own home.
About Home Care Advisory Group
Home Care Advisory Group streamlines the home care process, ensuring patients will never have to leave their homes or visit the doctor to complete the requirements. Throughout every step, its certified Senior Care Specialists make everything smooth and easy. Whether gathering necessary documentation, completing applications, or troubleshooting issues, team members minimize delays and ensure a hassle-free experience. Home Care Advisory Group’s suite of services include CDPAP, Medicaid applications, the exploration of home care options for patients with Medicare or Medicaid, the management of long-term care insurance claims, assistance with Veterans’ benefits, and more.
For more information about Home Care Advisory Group and CDPAP, please visit https://homecareadvisory.org/cdpap-program/.
