Read the full brief here
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, more than 53 million American adults serve as family caregivers, providing ongoing support for loved ones with aging-related needs, disabilities, or serious health conditions.
While the federal government offers some assistance through programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Lifespan Respite Care Program, and Veterans Affairs Caregiver Programs, these fractured initiatives cannot meet the growing needs of millions of family caregivers.
Medicaid has emerged as the nation’s primary source of support for these caregivers, making it possible for many Americans to receive care in their homes rather than in costly nursing facilities.
As the largest payer for long-term services and supports, Medicaid serves approximately 4.5 million people through home-and community-based services (HCBS). Unlike Medicare, which typically does not cover these services, Medicaid provides both direct financial support to family caregivers and critical supplemental services such as respite care, training, and counseling – all
of which help families avoid or delay institutional care.