HOW IT ALL BEGAN
My Life as a Caregiver or
How to Get Paid While Caring for your Loved One at Home through Medicaid Programs
My name is Peggy and I had been a caregiver for my mother for 6 ½ years.
In April 1998 when my mother suffered a stroke, I was advised by a social worker that she was no longer able to live by herself and she would have to be placed in a nursing facility for the rest of her life. Unable to accept that suggestion, I immediately advised the social worker that I would be bringing my mother home to live with me. Not having had any prior medical experience, I found myself making many errors and losing large amounts of money. It wasn’t long afterwards that I became financially devastated.
I emailed President Clinton in hopes that he would somehow be able to advise me in my
situation and to my surprise the Clinton Administration responded! Shortly afterwards, Mr. Daniel W. Burkhardt, Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of Correspondence and Presidential Messages wrote and informed me that help was on the way. I received a call from the State Capital and received a visit from the county. My mother was placed on a Medicaid State run program and I was able to get paid for taking care of her in my very own home!
Throughout that time, I acquired a great deal of knowledge regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and the many programs that the public were unaware of. I also learned that there were many other people in Ohio who were desperately seeking the information that I had.
Throughout those 6-½ years, my mother suffered greatly as her strokes continued. I became more aware of the complications that a caregiver encountered as well as the many financial responsibilities that were involved.
When my mother went home to be with the Lord on September 3, 2004, I not only lost my mother, but I lost my job as well. It was at that time that I decided to go forth to the public and teach others how they too might be able to get paid for caring for their critically ill loved ones at home rather than placing them in a nursing facility. I was hired by 11 different schools to teach this course in their Adult Education programs.
Not only do I teach in multiple schools, I occasionally hold seminars throughout Ohio, so that those who are unable to attend the classes are still able to acquire the knowledge and possibly get help on how to become a paid Caregiver as well.
