The Role of Caregivers in CDPAP: Empowerment and Support
Are you interested in working as a personal care assistant? Maybe it's an older adult, chronically ill, or physically disabled family member or friend requiring assistance with activities of daily living. You can apply to be a caregiver for a family member or friend under the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).
CDPAP is a New York State Medicaid program that allows physically disabled or chronically ill individuals needing home care or their designated representatives to hire, train, and supervise their preferred caregivers. There are numerous CDPAP benefits, one being that you can care for your loved one and not worry about paying your bills because the program pays you.
CDPAP caregiving is not limited to caring for family and friends, though. You could still provide the services to other people, but they get to choose you and direct their care. A Fiscal Intermediary (FI) agency processes your payment on behalf of Medicaid, ensuring you're paid on time. You can also request instant pay with Elite Choice so you can access your earnings on your own schedule. You also enjoy other benefits such as paid time off and health insurance.
Responsibilities and Duties of CDPAP Caregivers
When working as a CDPAP caregiver, the person you care for or their representative determines the tasks they need help with. Mainly, you assist them with activities of daily living, including personal and household care, as well as health care and emotional support.
Here is a summary of possible responsibilities and duties:
- Assisting with activities of daily living (ADL) like eating, bathing, and dressing
- Managing their medication
- Helping with chores like cleaning, shopping, and cooking
- Transporting them to appointments and other events as needed
- Providing emotional support
- Any additional services that the consumer may require
Providing Emotional and Physical Support
A CDPAP caregiver's primary role is to provide emotional and physical support to ensure the consumer leads a comfortable life as much as possible. Besides assisting them with ADL and healthcare needs, you offer them encouragement and become a supportive companion.
Listening to and validating their feelings builds trust and gives them the confidence to open up. This way, you learn how to help them and become a trusted friend. While you don't need medical qualifications to work as a caregiver, finding relevant resources on how to care for persons in their situation empowers you to provide better care.
As much as they assign your duties, you should be attentive to changes in their behavior that require professional assistance. For instance, if they exhibit signs of depression, encourage them to talk about their feelings and seek help.
Training and Resources for CDPAP Caregivers
Working as a CDPAP caregiver has minimal requirements. All you need is to be above 18, eligible to work in the United States, and have a background check and health assessment. However, equipping yourself with information about providing home care allows you to serve the consumer better.
The Elite Care Channel provides savings, enhancements and services exclusisvely to Elite's caregivers so that they may flourish and serve Elite patients to the best of their abilities. Removing the day-to-day stresses of managing the family budget,staying healthy and continuing edication, Elite's Care Channel helps caregivers maximize their spending and earning power so that ehy may focus on providing unsurpassed home health care services. Multiple other state and national resources are also available such as the Caregiver Action Network's caregiving videos, The United Hospital Fund's medication management videos, and Home Alone Alliance's how-to videos.
Here are links to some additional valuable websites:
- Department of Health, Home Safety Checklist
- New York State Office for the Aging
- New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition
- Administration on Aging, US Department of Health & Human Services
- National Alliance for Caregiving
Balancing Caregiving and Personal Life
The emotional burden of caregiving can be overwhelming. Balancing between caregiving and personal life is recommended to avoid the risk of burnout. You should take a break regularly and seek help whenever the emotional load interferes with your everyday life.
To provide the care required, you must also be in good shape yourself. Below are self-care tips to keep in mind:
- Exercise regularly
- Have adequate sleep
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet
- Keep an active social life
- Don't skip periodic medical check-ups, and talk to your doctor about any health concerns
- Find a support system
Offering personalized home care through CDPAP can be a rewarding expereince where you can get paid to care for your loved one. They can recieve guilt-free care and you can care for your loved one while recieving an income. At Elite Choice, we support caregivers and at-home consumers to meet their caregiving needs. Contact us and learn about how our CDPAP program empowers caregivers to provide exceptional care while maintaining a balanced life.
Written by: Leah Ganz
Leah Ganz, RN, BSN is the Director of Patient Services at Elite Home Health Care. She has an extensive background in homecare and previously worked in various specialties including pediatrics, pain management and internal medicine. She oversees all patient services across Elite's departments.