Last week, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) rolled out new services to support caregivers in Washington in honor of National Family Caregivers Month in November.
Medicaid Alternative Care and Tailored Supports for Older Adults are new programs that were introduced by DSHS as part of the state’s Medicaid Transformation Demonstration, according to a department statement. In Washington, there are more than 830,000 caregivers estimated to provide $11 billion in care per year, DSHS says.
The programs aim to advance the state’s Family Caregiver Support Program and will help support unpaid family caregivers and provide access to supplies, training, emotional support and more. DSHS also provides similar services to older adults
without a caregiver.
“We are so proud to provide these new options to the people of Washington,” said aging and long-term support administration assistant secretary Bill Moss.
“We know most people want to stay at home while they age and their family members want to help them stay at home. We are the first state in the country to support caregivers on this scale and we know it has the potential to truly transform the lives of thousands of people.”
Medicaid Alternative Care and Tailored Supports for Older Adults are available to individuals that meet specified age, need and financial requirements. Medicaid Alternative Care supports caregivers age 18 and above who are caring for someone age 55 and above; Tailored Supports for Older Adults supports individuals age 55 and above who do not have a caregiver.
For more information about each program, visit waclc.org or contact 855/567-0252.
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