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Does Georgia Pay For In-Home Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Georgia does pay for in-home care under certain circumstances. Medicaid helps seniors pay for in-home care through the Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment waiver, which is operated under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. Seniors may only receive assistance through one Medicaid waiver program at a time. The SOURCE waiver helps seniors who are eligible for nursing home care but prefer to remain in their homes as long as possible.
Understanding Medicaid’s In-Home Care Waiver
Georgia’s SOURCE waiver helps seniors pay for certain home and community-based services in their homes or in residential communities, including assisted living facilities. The waiver typically covers activities of daily living, including bathing, toileting, mobility assistance, meals and medication reminders. The program may also cover some light medical help, including skilled nursing and wound care. To qualify for benefits, seniors must be 65 years or older, meet specific income requirements and require a nursing home level of care.
Additional Ways to Pay for In-Home Care
Many seniors rely on personal funds, including savings, pensions and retirement, to pay for in-home care. Other ways may include reverse mortgages, life insurance policy payouts, mutual funds or relying on family members.