Washington State Pilot Programs Expanding Support for Family Caregivers

Washington state in September rolled out several pilot initiatives for the Family Caregiver Support Program, including the Tailored Support for Older Adults program and Medicaid Alternative Care, with services bundled around unpaid caregivers, reports the Spokesman-Review . Seniors who do not have unpaid caregivers also might be eligible for limited tailored support. Tailored support beneficiaries usually have too many assets to qualify for Medicaid, and the program is designed to help people avoid or postpone impoverishment and the need for traditional Medicaid-funded services. Both programs offer a monthly maximum of $550 in free services to support unpaid caregivers helping someone at least 55 years of age. Care recipients must require assistance with some daily-living tasks such as bathing, walking, and medications. The programs' service rely on individual needs and can include caregiver training and support groups, respite care, equipment such as a shower bench, and supplies. The programs also are designed to help seniors remain independent longer in their homes, to avoid or delay more expensive Medicaid long-term care. "It's really around, how do you support families and them taking care of one another," says Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington Executive Director Lynn Kimball. "So often, families end up in situations where there isn't much support out there and caregiving can be extremely stressful." Bea Rector with Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services notes the pilot is bringing in about $180 million in federal funds to evaluate the programs until the end of 2021.