Instead of finding a Delaware nursing home to care for your aging loved one, you may decide to provide the care he or she needs yourself. However, you may be concerned about much needed Medicaid benefits. Fortunately, that does not have to be the case, and elder law could help make your arrangement happen.
You may be giving up your work outside the home in order to remain home and care for someone. As time goes on, it may become a full time commitment. You need to replace that income somehow, and Medicaid understands that. You may be entitled to payment for the care you provide.
Before taking a dime, however, you may want to formalize the arrangement with a caregiver agreement. This agreement outlines what you do in exchange for payment. The federal government and the state of Delaware require that such an agreement meet certain standards. If it does not, you could jeopardize the receipt of government benefits by your loved one. In light of this, creating such an agreement on your own may not be the best course of action.
Instead, you could involve an elder law attorney who understands the requirements of a caregiver agreement. Properly drafted and executed, you both could receive peace of mind. You are giving up part of your life to ensure the health and safety of your loved one. Doing so may include making sure that he or she continues to receive Medicaid and other benefits crucial to the care you and others provide.