Is CDPAP a Savior of Consumer-Directed Caregiving? We Weigh Its Pros and Cons

Of late, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) has been gaining momentum. As more and more Medicaid agencies are offering this program, more eligible citizens are looking to garner its benefits. Ever since its inception, this Medicaid-backed program has allowed countless American senior citizens to select their caregivers.

With its numerous benefits, CDPAP has been making lives easier for elderly adults and disabled individuals.

But What Exactly is CDPAP?

CDPAP is a Medicaid program that benefits senior citizens or disabled individuals who cannot look after themselves. With this program, the individual or their designated representatives (parents or guardians) are given the privilege of choosing the caregiver from their family. They are given the entire responsibility and control of hiring, training, supervising, as well as terminating the caregiver.

Any member of the family can be hired as a caregiver, including children, siblings, cousins, and parents. Neighbors and family friends can also serve as personal assistants or caregivers.

Now that we’re clear on what CDPAP is, let’s weigh its pros and cons.

Pros of CDPAP

The benefits of CDPAP have empowered the American senior and disabled individuals to direct their own care. If you are unaware of the remarkable advantages of this program, we have outlined them for you.

• A Familiar Face and a Comforting Smile

Not being able to live an independent life in itself makes things hard for the care recipient, and amidst all the mental chaos, adjusting with an unfamiliar caregiver further intensifies their plight. But, when a known person takes this responsibility, situations get easier.

No adjustments with cultural practices or preferences are required, and no need for long training sessions. With a known caregiver, you skip all the initial familiarization and experimentation with different caregivers and jump to the relief of knowing your loved one is in safe hands.

• Care that Feels Like Home

Independent caregivers or caregivers hired from home care agencies have their own ways of working. They are strictly professionals so they work in a set schedule and will likely draw the line at over-time, work hour flexibility, and catering to every demand. Furthermore, they may take leave from their duty due to illness or any personal reasons and while the agencies take no time in offering a backup, the drill of adjustments and training has to restart all over with them.

But when, by the virtue of CDPAP, you choose a caregiver from your loved ones, you avoid going through the series of these uncomfortable events. Your loved ones will push themselves to attend to you at any hour of the day and with whatever you need. They will undoubtedly add a personal touch and extra effort to everything they do for you using your experience together and their intention to see your conditions improve.

• Financial benefits

The biggest benefit of CDPAP is that the caregiver receives compensation for their services. This comes as the biggest reward for the caregivers who compromise the time on their job just to look after their loved ones. This program prevents them from landing into big financial trouble and focus on their care.

Cons of CDPAP

Like everything, CDPAP also has some restrictions and drawbacks. Let us walk you through the major disadvantages of this Medicaid program.

• Wages

The hourly wages are usually $11-$13 and this dims the hopes of family members depending on just the caregiving wages for survival.

• Restrictions in selecting your caregiver

You cannot select whoever you wish for as a caregiver from your loved ones. The eligibility criteria disapprove of some candidates who would want to step up and take this role, for instance, a spouse is not eligible, as well as a parent with a child less than 21 years of age is not eligible to become a caregiver for their loved one.

• Limited Coverage

Unfortunately, CDPAP does not cover underage children. It is only designed for senior citizens and disabled adults.

CDPAP has untangled many complexities attached to consumer-directed caregiving. However, before applying for the program, ruminate on every aspect associated with it, and then make a decision that best suits the needs of the care recipient.

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