Structured Family Caregiving

What is Structured Family Caregiving?

Approximately 53 million Americans are currently supporting an aging family member by helping with tasks such as bathing, housework, or healthcare management. This means 1 in 5 U.S. adults serves as an unpaid caregiver. When providing care takes priority over everything, finances often become a concern. Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) aims to address this issue by offering eligible family caregivers a stipend, allowing them to concentrate on caregiving while ensuring financial security.

SFC is an Indiana Medicaid-funded program that enables eligible caregivers to receive financial support for caring for their family. Caregivers receive training and education tailored to their loved one's needs, along with access to respite services. When applicable, structured family caregiving can be a key part of a plan to age in place at home.

Who is Structured Family Caregiving For?

Structured family caregiving is an option for caregivers and their recipients who meet the following requirements in the state of Indiana:

• Care Recipient

  • Aged, disabled, or have Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

  • Eligible for Medicaid.

  • Require extraordinary level of care.

  • Reside in a private residence.

• Caregiver

  • 18 years or older.

  • Family member or non-family member who resides in home with recipient (spouses are eligible).

  • Must complete background check, tuberculosis test, and first aid certification.

The Role of Home Care Agencies

Home care agencies can facilitate structured family caregiving by providing training and support for the caregiver, creating and implementing a care plan, and providing respite care. Care givers often become contractors at Home Care Agencies so the agency can provide oversite and ensure a care plan is implemented and charting notes are compiled. Home care agencies will also conduct regular RN or manager visits to ensure that the care plan is meeting the care recipient's needs.

Benefits of Structured Family Caregiving

Structured Family Caregiving benefits the caregiver and care recipient immensely. Because SFC compensates the caregiver they are able to prioritize providing care without having to worry about finances. This can reduce the stress of caregiving and enhance the relationship between the caregiver and the recipient, as over 50% of caregivers report financial strain. Home care agencies bring a lot to the table as they provide the caregiver with invaluable support. Added oversight of the agency will help the care recipient age in place by maintaining an up-to-date care plan.

Pursuing Structured Family Caregiving

The Indiana Medicaid program, Structured Family Caregiving, allows eligible caregivers residing with their care recipient to be compensated for caring for their loved one. Home care agencies facilitate this program by providing required training for the caregiver, support, and oversight. SFC can ease the financial and emotional toll of caregiving.

If you think that Structured Family Caregiving is right for you or your loved one, please call Total at 219-937-2811 for a free in-home assessment.