As it is known, elderly people, or people with certain disabilities, can’t take care of themselves or have difficulties in completing daily activities. These elderly or disabled people, or their relatives (for instance, children) can hire certified caregivers so they can help them. But the disadvantage of such an idea is that most of the time this caregiver is unknown to the person, who needs help.

Some people can’t cope with the thought that a stranger would help them. As an alternative, a new Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program had been launched recently. It is called “consumer directed” since it takes into consideration people’s needs. Instead of hiring an unknown person and feeling uncomfortable in own house, elderly or disabled people can hire their relatives or friends who participate in the program and have all the required skills. To participate, you need to apply for CDPAP program.

In this article we will explain how the CDPAP program is operating, who can apply as a customer, and who might be hired as medical caregivers. We will also tell about the benefits of this program, about payment and how to apply.

WHAT IS CDPAP AND HOW IT WORKS?

Elderly or disabled people face serious difficulties while completing their daily routine. For some people, it’s even difficult to satisfy their basic needs. It’s easier when someone can take care of this person, to manage their daily activities, to help take medicine, if it is required, etc. 

Hiring a professional caregiver is expensive. Moreover, it’s stressful to cope with the thought that an unknown person will help you. The new consumer directed program allows family members, friends or relatives to help their loved ones. Professional skills, medical certificates or specific training is not needed. Consumers will direct their caregivers and explain what they need and what care they need to receive.

If an individual wants to participate, and he is considered eligible, a caseworker or a medical worker comes to his home in order to find out what care they need, how many hours should an assigned caregiver spend each day, etc. After careful examination, these caseworkers create a special plan. 

This care plan contains the number of hours that a person needs each week in order to complete basic activities. After the plan is approved, customer can hire whoever he wants, so this person can take care of him.

Of course, this program is designed fairly and each caregiver will receive a wage once a week, depending on the number of hours he dedicated to his patient.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR CDPAP?

In order to receive help, a person has to be eligible. Eligible patients are those who can’t complete their daily activities, have difficulties in taking care of their household, can’t easily move around the house which leads to not having the ability to cook food or to take care of personal hygiene, etc. Any person who requires personal assistance may apply for participation in the CDPAP program.

Then a state employee will review family’s or candidate’s income, assets, etc. If the family is considered as the one who needs help, a family member will receive care. As it was mentioned above, after an elderly or disabled person is considered as eligible, a caseworker visits the consumer and creates a care plan.

WHAT KIND OF HELP CAN ELIGIBLE PATIENTS EXPECT FROM CDPAP?

Usually a caregiver is required to help in the following situations:

• To feed the patient (sometimes includes cooking).
• Help in taking care of personal hygiene.
• Dressing.
• Satisfy basic medical needs.
• To transport a patient to a doctor and to take him back home.
• Complete such medical tasks as giving insulin injections, etc.
• Other tasks that are required to make the patient feel comfortable.

This list shows that the best option is to hire someone you know to complete these tasks. Most people feel uncomfortable when those tasks are accomplished by strangers. But when a potential candidate applies and his application is approved, he can hire his child, friend or relative. Thus, patient feels comfortable and completely safe.

ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS TO THE NUMBER OF HOURS A PATIENT CAN RECEIVE?

Currently there are no restrictions or rules which would regulate how many hours of help can someone receive. It’s up to a caseworker or medical professional to decide how many hours can someone receive. CDPAP regulations only control healthcare providers – children, relatives can become providers, while spouses can’t.

Each case is individualized and it’s too difficult to create a standard scheme. When a caseworker visits an eligible person in his home, he analyzes what needs should be satisfied and how many hours are needed to accomplish all those tasks.

HOW MUCH DO CAREGIVERS EARN WITH CDPAP?

It is obvious that not all the families can take care of a disabled or elderly member and at the same time to have an 8-hour working day. If one of the members decides to leave work and to dedicate himself to taking care of his loved one, he might not have the earnings to satisfy all needs. 

This is why all caregivers can expect a competitive CDPAP salary, or rather a wage. Each week caregivers will receive a wage based on the number of hours dedicated to their patients. The average CDPAP pay rate per hour is approximately 8-14 dollars. It depends on the type of tasks that a caregiver accomplishes. 

BENEFITS OF CDPAP

There are several advantages:

• An eligible person is taken care of by a well-known person, such as family member, friend, relative, etc.
• The patient feels much more comfortable when somebody close one is providing personal home care services..
• Caregivers are paid for taking care of their loved ones.
• There is no need to train or obtain a special medical certificate in order to become a caregiver.
• Elderly or disabled people can decide on their own who they want to hire.
• The program offers various services that can help elderly or disabled people feel better.

HOW TO APPLY FOR CDPAP?

Only Medicaid participants can apply via filling the CDPAP form on the official CDPAP website. If there are any questions, candidates or their relatives can contact the local Department of Social Services. 

It’s important for those who needs help, to receive it from well-known people. Family members or friends create a trusting atmosphere, help with daily activities and thus, the person feels safe. If you or your loved one needs help, you can contact one of the CDPAP agencies that offers help. 

Please, feel free to contact us, and our specialists will answer all your questions concerning the CDPAP program NYC.