I have written several articles and blogs on this Statewide program. Since many people want their loved ones at home versus at an institution during the pandemic, these programs have grown popular. Since I have written the last time on this program, it has been expanded to allow a healthy spouse to care and get compensated tax-free for approved care for another including their spouse. It can be a relative but also can be someone who is not related, such as an able and willing friend or companion.
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC), also known as Caregiver Homes of Indiana, is a fairly new model of caregiving. It provides financial and supportive services for family (and non-family) caregivers. It empowers caregivers to care for seniors and those with disabilities who wish to remain at home, or in the home of an approved caregiver, rather than become institutionalized into a nursing home. It is not a standalone program. Rather, it is a benefit associated with Indiana’s Aged and Disability Medicaid Waiver.
Caregivers and care recipients may be eligible for this program if they meet the following criteria:
The primary caregiver, including the spouse (added since 2020):
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Cannot administer injections (including insulin, considered skilled nursing)
The care recipient:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be eligible for Medicaid
- Must require help with one or more Activities of Daily Living, such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Walking
- Transferring (helping get in/out of bed)
- Toileting
- Eating
Family caregivers work with healthcare workers to care for a loved one. Family caregivers provide the daily services needed to keep our growing senior population safe, comfortable, and healthy and they provide those services in the setting most preferred by all of us – home. While some seniors have debilitating needs, which require institutional care, most aging Hoosiers simply need help with everyday activities such as transportation, grocery shopping, or personal hygiene. As such, family caregivers are a less expensive and more effective solution.
For the legal and asset planning for this program and other options, please contact the office of Glenn A. Deig, Attorney at Law at 812–423-1500 for a free comprehensive consult. My planners have an enormous amount of experience with handling such cases while protecting as many assets as possible. Many people falsely believe that they cannot get paid help by another and stay at home. Clients sometimes are unaware of these beneficial programs until they meet with us and we complete a consult and analysis of their full factual and financial/medical situation.