Massachusetts Laws About Family Members As Home Health Aides

When home health aides are needed, for many people, it is easier and more comfortable to have a family member providing the care. Whether family members can be paid, by a government agency, for providing the care varies from state to state. In Massachusetts, there are two programs that will provide funding for home health aides. Both allow some family members to receive payment for their time caring for their elderly or disabled relative.

Federal Funded Program Requirements

• Massachusetts' programs provide funding for home health aides. The first of the programs receives its funding from the federal government. Under this program, spouses, parents of minor children and people legally liable for the patient are not eligible to receive payment for their services. The aide is not required to attend training under this program, but if the patient desires that he or she be trained, the patient is responsible for providing it.

State Funded Program

• A state funded program is also available. This program allows everyone except spouses to be paid for their services. This program does not require or provide any sort of training. A client may request that training be taken, but he is then responsible for that training.

Payment

• Through either of these programs, the aide receives his payment through some intermediary who will handle deductions and payments as required. There is no option for the check to be issued directly by the state.

Ways to Arrange Care

• Home health aides are either provided by home care agencies or are hired directly by the families. In most cases, the home care agency will simply employ the family member to do the work. In some rare cases, the family will be allowed to hire the relative directly. Usually this only happens when the patient lives in a rural area that would not be serviced by any home care agency.