Once you have become a senior citizen, you will have to start adapting. You will be facing new levels of mobility and health, and many will need some type of care. Longevity LIVE Paid Content.
That is where CDPAP comes into play. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) allows New York Medicaid recipients the opportunity to hire any personal care assistant (CPA) that they want to take care of them, on any level that they need. This even includes family members and friends that care for you full time. With a few exceptions, anyone that is over 18 and can legally work in NY can become your assistant.
Whoever you choose will get paid to care for you. They will also have the freedom to give medications and perform basic medical and home tasks that need to be completed. This even includes tasks that need to be done around the house that you are not able to complete on your own. Another great part of the program is that it will allow you to have your chosen caregiver as an emotional assistant when needed.
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Below, we discuss the four specific ways why CDPAP is best for senior citizens. You need to know that these are the four main benefits that you can get from the program.
To get the benefits, you must first qualify for the services. A doctor will have to fill out a paper stating your need and the reasons why, and then you will have to wait for a decision. This is one area of the process that government entities have control over. They decide if you get it, how many hours you need, and if the care is needed short or long term.
Family or Friends
One of the biggest advantages that CDPAP offers is your ability to hire anyone that you want, including family or friends.
There are a few exceptions to the rule, such as it not being available for a spouse. However, the one that is chosen will be able to get paid from the Medicaid program. Often, family members are willing to stop working to come and take care of you full time. This program will guarantee that if that is who you choose as your personal caregiver, they will get paid for the number of weekly hours that you qualify for. What you qualify for depends on the issue. This is whether it is temporary or permanent, and if it is disabling to the point of needing full-time care.
Your Empowerment and Independence
The program gives you the freedom to choose who you want, instead of them making you accept help from whoever Medicaid decides to send. You have the complete independence to make your own choice. It is much less uncomfortable to be taken care of by someone that you already know. And if they are willing to take care of you, they can get paid for it.
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This makes it possible for them to do what is needed without having to worry about a loss in pay. If that is not possible, you will be able to interview anyone that you choose. You will then decide for yourself who you would be comfortable with.
Your Power to Make a Care Plan
You are the best to know what you need Under the CDPAP NYC guidelines, you can choose what tasks you will receive and when they will be tasked to your chosen care provider. That means if you want someone to cook breakfast and dinner, and not lunch, then you can schedule those times.
If you need help with the shower, you can schedule those times. They have figured out that you are the one that knows what works for you. As such, the program guarantees that you have that power without interference from anyone on Medicaid.
No Need to Get a Certification
Under this program, there is no need for your chosen caregiver to get any type of certification. Perhaps it would be a good idea for them to take some basic First-Aid classes and a CPR course. However, this is not a requirement.
This is beneficial in so many ways to you. You do not need to have a nurse administer shots or hand out medications. You will not need to worry about having to wait until someone goes through classes to get the care that you need. Also, you will not have to get care from someone that follows every written page (instead of what is best for you).
Unfortunately, as you get older you will start to have more problems. If you can get help early on when you need it for daily living, you can improve your quality of life. What’s more, you will have more freedom to do things that you wanted to do once you retired. The CDPAP is best for senior citizens because they deserve to be cared for by people they are comfortable with.
