Caregiving plays a vital role in society, supporting seniors, the sick, people with disabilities or special needs, and families all over America. Many people willingly become unpaid caregivers out of love for their elderly or disabled members, even paying the cost of care supplies out of their own pockets,–but even when done out of love, caregiving is important work that deserves to be compensated.
The United States has various federal and state services that offer financial support for family caregivers, although the conditions vary from state to state. Informal family caregivers can also improve their financial situation and access support by transitioning into a professional or semi-professional role and working with a home care agency. In this article, we will look at options for family caregivers in Arizona and what they could earn for providing home care services in the state.
Unpaid Vs Paid Family Caregiving In Arizona
The number of Arizonans undertaking unpaid care work may surprise you. According to a recent report by the AARP:
- There are 850,000 unpaid family caregivers in Arizona taking care of loved ones.
- These caregivers provide a combined 800 million hours (estimated at $14.5 billion in value) of unpaid care every year.
Data from Indeed.com sheds some light on how much family caregivers in paid roles are earning in the state:
- On average, a paid family caregiver in Indiana earns $38,976 per year, starting from just over $13 per hour.
- The annual salary for family caregivers typically ranges between $32,487 and $46,760, depending on factors such as location, education and certifications, experience, and any additional skills a candidate can bring to the role.
By undergoing further training or gaining experience with an established home care agency, Arizona family caregivers can improve their career opportunities, increase their earning potential, and access resources to support their care work and their families.
How To Get Paid For Family Care In Arizona
If you are looking to get paid as a family caregiver in Arizona, there are several federal and state benefits that might help. Also, if you wish to turn informal family caregiving into a career, there are home care agencies that can employ you to care for family members.
State And Federal Financial Support for Caregiving
Medicaid And State Assistance Programs
Arizona residents enrolled in the state’s version of Medicaid, called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), can direct their Medicaid funding directly to caregiving family members. This is available through the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) program, which offers medical coverage to seniors over 65 years old who need additional care services. To be able to employ a family caregiver, beneficiaries need to apply for the “Agency with Choice” or “Self-directed Care” programs within ALTCS, which give recipients the ability to hire, contract and dismiss their own care aides.
Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has several programs for veterans that allow the beneficiary to choose their caregiver. For example:
- Veterans in Arizona who meet the criteria can employ a relative as a caregiver at hourly rates ranging from $8 to $21 through the Veteran-Directed Care Program (VDC). Caregivers are paid for out of the VA pension rates, which range from $10,757 to $42,433 annually.
- The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) helps the family caregivers of veterans with service-related disabilities or illnesses by providing training, resources, and a monthly stipend of up to $2,750 per month.
- The Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance offers additional discretionary pension funds to veterans, which can be used to hire family members as home caregivers.
Get Paid As A Family Caregiver Via An Agency
The simplest way to get paid as a family caregiver in Arizona is to be employed by an established home care agency to care for your loved ones. Home care agencies appreciate that family caregivers are highly motivated and dedicated to helping others. Agencies recognize these valuable qualities and can not only employ family caregivers but also help them transform their experience into a professional career.For example, Nova Home Care is actively looking to hire family caregivers in the Arizona area. To learn more about remuneration and benefits, including salary, insurance, 401K, training, and more, check our careers page or contact us online.