Financial Assistance

There is unfortunately no way around it — aging and getting the care you or your loved one needs is expensive. Planning early is important in order to have the most options and preserve the most assets.

A Guide to Medicaid Long Term Care

Seventy percent of people turning 65 today will require some amount of long-term care, with men averaging 2.2 years of care and women averaging 3.7. Whether you opt for in-home care or a long term care facility, the cost of care is very high. Medicaid can be an important lifeline for paying for long-term care, which here in Colorado can include in-home personal care as well as nursing home care. Not every state offers in-home personal care. In other words, it is possible to age in place and get the care you need in Eagle County.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about Medicaid Long Term Care that results in an unnecessary stigma and avoidance. Particularly for couples, you can get a spouse/partner on Medicaid Long Term Care more easily than you think without sacrificing all your assets including your home! It is something to plan for versus finding you have spent all your assets down getting the care you need and then having to get it in more of an emergency situation.

To help you learn, read out Guide to Medicaid Long Term Care.

Please feel free to contact us for a Care Consultation to discuss your financial options further.

Caregiver Assistance Fund

The Caregiver Connections Caregiver Assistance Fund was established to provide local support to families in need. It can be used to cover the fees of our programs and services as well as to subsidize the cost of in-home care on a short-term basis. We have typically awarded up to $1000.

It is not a solution for paying for long-term care, but can help bridge the gap while you are working on a long-term solution such as applying for Medicaid Long Term Care. It is also helpful in short-term, emergency situations such as a family caregiver becoming ill or hospitalized or a situation where short-term, in-home care is needed but the family does not have the ability to pay.

To be eligible, the Caregiver and Care Recipient must be located in Eagle County. The acceptance of an application is based on the availability of funds.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Executive Director, Wendy Miller.

PO Box 9727, Avon, CO 81620
support@getcaregiverconnections.org
970-445-0312

Vintage

Vintage is the Alpine region’s aging expert – ensuring that all of us have access to the supports, services, and resources we need when we’re older. They also provide deep content expertise to ensure our communities and providers meet those needs as well.

Their services include transportation, dental/vision assistance, case management, nutrition programs, caregiver support, in-home services, evidence-based health programs, volunteerism, educational programs, and more. Vintage serves Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties in Northwest Colorado.

Their In-Home Services Program provides financial assistance to older adults in need of homemaker, personal care, or chore assistance to remain in their homes and to live independently. Homemaker assistance consists of meal preparation, shopping, light housework, money management, or using the telephone. Personal care assistance consists of bathing, dressing, walking, eating, and other personal care activities. Chore assistance consists of heavy housework, yard work, or sidewalk maintenance. Funds can be limited but you can get on a wait list.

Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC)

Working with a coordinated coalition of community partners, the Colorado Respite Coalitions promotes awareness of and access to respite care services and resources that help improve the quality of life for caregivers and the individuals they care for. Caregiver Connections is just one provider of respite care services, namely through our Senior Spot adult day program. You can also use it to pay a caregiver.

The CRC’s Self-Directed Family Respite Voucher Program provides funds (from $250 up to $1000 for respite care to family caregivers across the state of Colorado, serving all ages and extensive health care needs. This program offers a resource for unserved and underserved family caregivers who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems. This program is intended to act a payer of last resorts, meaning that families are eligible if they do not receive another source of respite funding (i.e. Medicaid waiver, AAA funds). Applications are accepted at all times.