As stressful as life can be, it still has a familiar rhythm that we settle into. Jobs. Errands. Ball games. Vacations. We develop a routine and may follow it for years. Then, we get “the call.” A parent has had an accident and will need home care. Or, perhaps it’s dementia, and they need help navigating a completely new world. Now it’s on you to figure out how they will get the support they need. For New Yorkers on Medicaid, one good option is the state’s CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program). Home Care Advisory Group explains that rather than hire a stranger to come into your loved one’s home, you can choose your own caregiver through CDPAP, including family members. To help you understand the basics of CDPAP, Home Care Advisory Group explains the answers to the most common questions, including next steps to take to enroll.

New York’s CDPAP explained in detail

What is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program?

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.

What are the eligibility requirements 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 accessed?

As long as the participant is on Medicaid, they can access CDPAP anywhere in the state of New York.

Does CDPAP allow family members, including those who are not licensed, to be personal assistants?

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.

Are there any limits on what CDPAP personal assistants can 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

While you may feel pressured to make a fast decision so that your loved one can get care, Home Care Advisory Group recommends that you slow down and consider the pros and cons of CDPAP. It may turn out to be the best option for you, but by knowing its nuances, you will have more realistic expectations.

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.

Is CDPAP right for you? Some questions to ask yourself

By learning about the advantages and drawbacks of CDPAP, you have taken an important step. Now it’s time to think about the people in your life who might be a home caregiver. Ask some crucial questions about them as well as the person who needs help.

• 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

There are good reasons why CDPAP may not work for you. Perhaps the person who needs care lives too far away. Maybe it is not possible to find a family member whose schedule will allow them to visit the loved one. If that’s the case, then you do have other excellent options. New Yorkers on Medicaid can reach out to Home Care For Adults, which provides New Yorkers on Medicaid with non-medical home care services, including:

• Live-in care
• Personal hygiene
• Dementia care
• Companion care at home
• Personal care
• Respite care
• Mobility assistance
• Senior care advocacy

Home Care For Adults is a partner in your life. The goal of their Senior Care Specialists is to quickly step in and take over all paperwork and arrangements. The result is that everyone’s life continues to flow smoothly, including your own, and your family member gets efficient, compassionate care in their home.

The next steps to take to enroll in CDPAP

In times of crisis, when you are now responsible for making sure your senior is taken care of, the options and red tape in front of you can seem endless. Whether you are interested in CDPAP or other home care services, reach out to Home Care Advisory Group. If you are a New Yorker on Medicaid, we are ready to help you with your questions, paperwork, and arrangements. Or, if you need more time to think things over, read through our program page, which provides plenty of practical, actionable information. When you are ready to bring high-quality care into your loved one’s home, we are here for you.

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/.