Long Island elder law attorneys help seniors to make plans in case they need long term care in their future. One of the many things that most older people want as they look ahead to their future is the ability to stay independent and remain in their homes as long as possible. Moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home is typically something that people are reluctant to do, even when it comes to a point where living alone is difficult or impossible and care is needed. 
Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm helps seniors to explore their options for staying in their homes as long as possible so they can remain independent and active members of their communities. Within the state of New York, there is also assistance available to seniors through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). Our Long Island elder law attorneys can offer insight into what CDPAP is, how it works, and how you can take advantage of this program if you are a senior who wants to direct your own care.
What is CDPAP
QNS explains what CDPAP is and how it is helpful to seniors. According to QNS, CDPAP is “a program offered by the NY state government that allows elderly and disabled patients to choose their own caregivers called personal assistants.”
In other words, it gives seniors the freedom and flexibility to choose a caregiver who can provide them the help they need when they require home care as a result of illness, disability or advanced age and infirmity. One of the biggest benefits of seniors being able to take advantage of this program is that it makes it possible for family members and friends to get paid to provide care.
Often, getting care from strangers is very uncomfortable for older people who may want to be self-reliant or who may not trust people they don’t know coming into their home. Even the very best of professional caregivers also don’t have the same level of concern as a person would for his or her own family members. As a result, when family can provide care, this is sometimes a much better solution for the senior who needs assistance. The problem is, caregiving is a demanding job that could preclude or limit other employment. CDPAP addresses this problem by allowing family caregivers to be paid for services that they are providing.
How Long Island Elder Law Attorneys Help with CDPAP
CDPAP is a Medicaid program. This means that in order for this program to provide payment for caregivers who take care of their family members, the person who is receiving the care actually needs to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
There are restrictions based on who can qualify for Medicaid based on wealth levels. When seniors receive Medicaid benefits, this can also create a risk of Medicaid estate recovery, which is a process by which the state of New York makes claims on the estate of a person who received certain Medicaid benefits during their lifetime. Valuable assets that should serve as the legacy of the person who has passed away could end up being lost due to the Medicaid estate recovery process.
Long Island elder law attorneys can provide assistance in qualifying for Medicaid while taking steps to protect assets both during your lifetime and after you pass away. Since many seniors have worked hard their whole lives to have some financial security when they are older and to leave a legacy to loved ones, making a Medicaid plan is very important if you don’t want to end up spending all of your money on care or losing your assets after your death just because you need home health assistance.
Getting Help from Long Island Elder Law Attorneys
Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm has helped many clients in Long Island to determine if they are eligible for CDPAP, to find out how they can get a family caregiver paid for providing them with care, and to take any necessary steps to qualify for Medicaid coverage when it is needed.
Our legal team will also work with you to understand all of your possible options for long term care services both in your home and in an institutional setting if necessary. To find out more about how our legal team can assist you, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at (631) 265-0599 or contact us online to get personalized help from our Long Island elder law attorneys.
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