Financial Help For Being Caregiver For Elderly Father In Law?

by Christina
(Calgary, Alberta)

I'm currently looking after my 73yr old father in law.

He's not allowed to be left alone so I stay and look after him. I'm not able to work and can't afford to hire someone.

He suffers from COPD and many other health problems.

Are there any programs that can help me financially for being the caregiver for elderly parents?

REPLY from Caring-for-Aging-Parents.com:
Good question, Christina, and one many caregivers for elderly parents wonder about.

Financial assistance for caregivers varies per country/province/state.

In most areas there are programs that assist with buying medical equipment and supplies, funding home modifications and providing home support (assistance with personal care such as dressing/bathing).

To find local Alberta resources and financial assistance programs, I encourage you to contact Alberta HEALTHLink which provides 24/7 telephone health advice and health information service answered by nurses. The toll free number is: 1-866-408-5465

Alberta has several programs that may be able to assist you:

• Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) - Provides financial assistance to purchase medical equipment and supplies.
  
• Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) - Provides financial assistance to people who use wheelchairs to modify their home to be more accessible.
  

More information about these programs can be found at: http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/aadl/

Alberta Health Services Home Care Program - They provide personal care supports (such as assistance with bathing and dressing), wound management, IV therapy, end of life care and more.

You can access this service by phoning Alberta HEALTHLink @ 1-866-408-5465.

Other Programs: I would encourage you to ask HEALTHLink about other programs such as Adult Day Programs, Community Rehabilitation Programs (physiotherapy and occupational therapy) and other services for seniors. A day program and/or regular respite will give you time for yourself.

Tax Credits - There is a caregiver tax credit that you can claim if you maintain a dwelling where you and one or more of your dependants live. The claim can be a maximum amount of $4,223 for each dependant.

Employment Insurance - Provides Compassionate Care Benefits to individuals who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care to a family member who has health issues with a significant risk of death.

Veterans - There are excellent resources for Veterans that cover equipment, home care and more. If you think your father-in-law might be eligible, more information can be found by calling Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

It may also be worth contacting the Alberta Caregivers Association. Their website is: http://www.albertacaregiversassociation.org Ask about financial assistance as well as other programs such as support groups.

If you learn about more programs, please share with other visitors here.

Thank you,
Kevin