Caregiver resources

 

When you’re caring for someone on Medicare, it’s important to understand their health care options. Learn how to manage your loved one’s medical needs — and get extra help for you if you need it.

Understanding your loved one’s needs

 

Becoming a caregiver can be a stressful responsibility. You may feel you need to become an instant expert on topics like:

 

Health insurance (including Medicare or Medicaid)

Personal finance

Nutrition

Medication

Home safety

Legal matters (including power of attorney)

 

Luckily, you have resources available to help you along this process. Read on for ways to prepare for your new role as a caregiver.

Managing health care options

 

One important step you’ll take as a caretaker is understanding different available health insurance options. Start by:

 

Learning more about Medicare and plans available.

Taking advantage of resources in your community via tools like the Family Caregiver Alliance’s Family Care Navigator. This helps you locate caregiver support in your state.

Adding yourself as a caregiver by logging in to an online health management portal such as Wellpoint's. Once set up, you can find care, manage medications, and pay bills on behalf of your loved one.

Handling finances

 

Wondering about the financial impact of caregiving? Making a list of your costs can help you create a realistic budget. Here are some common caregiving expenses:

 

Medical needs

Household expenses

Personal care items

Travel and legal fees

Paid help

 

In some cases, you may qualify for assistance or payment for caregiver services. In general, Medicare doesn't cover in-home caregivers if medical care isn't needed. Medicare does typically cover:

 

Short-term caregiving costs for medical care following a surgery, illness, or injury; and,

Short-term home health services (like nursing care and physical therapy) if a doctor prescribes care for a person homebound.

 

Plus, there are Medicare Advantage plans that include extras like meal deliveries, home helpers, and rides to doctor appointments.

Tackling legal issues

 

Caregivers are often tasked with legal responsibilities like power of attorney and living wills. Setting these up can help you manage care for your loved ones. You’ll want to contact a legal expert, such as an attorney or advocacy group, to handle these complicated issues.

Practicing self-care

 

Caregiving can be challenging. If you feel overwhelmed, or need a break to take time for yourself, consider:

 

Hiring a home health aide – even for one day a month.

Asking local rehabilitation and nursing centers if they can provide respite stays.

Seeing if a family member or friend will fill in when you need a day off.

Joining an online or in-person caregiver group to express your feelings and find support.

Getting extra help when necessary

 

Your loved one may not need constant or live-in care. Maybe they just need a little extra help with housecleaning, getting dressed, and bathing. Consider hiring someone to help with these tasks so you don't have to do it all on your own.

 

Many apps and programs offer support for managing your caretaker responsibilities. Here are just a few:

 

Doctor visits from home

 

Our Medicare Advantage plans include 24/7 telehealth visits to help make doctor visits even easier.

 

ianacare

 

Enlist support from your own community of friends, family, and contacts to coordinate daily caregiving tasks.

 

Help for cancer caregivers

 

Support designed for those caring for cancer patients, but that can apply to all caregivers.

 

Family Caregiver Alliance

 

Education and advocacy for caregivers nationwide.

 

The Caregiver Action Network

 

Connect with other caregivers through a story-sharing platform and family caregiver toolbox.

 

Alzheimer’s Association

 

Care and support for those affected by Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.

Wellpoint and Carelon Health plans are Medicare Advantage plans with Medicare contracts. Wellpoint and Carelon Health plans are SNP plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Wellpoint or Carelon Health depends on contract renewal.