Financial Security

Money and job worries are part of caregiving for many families.

Paying for care, keeping up with work, and financial planning can feel like too much on top of caregiving. But you don’t have to figure it out alone — there are programs that can help.

Caregiving often costs money. A 2016 AARP study found that 75% of family caregivers spent their own money on caregiving — about $7,000 a year, on average. To learn more about handling the cost of caregiving, see this guide from the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Programs That Can Help with Costs

• New MexiCare — helps pay caregivers for care so older adults can stay safely at home.
• Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) — for veterans in rural areas who need help with daily care at home.
• Home and Community-Based Medicaid — medical insurance that can pay for home health care and other help at home. To see if your loved one qualifies, call: ADRC

Working Caregivers

If you have a job, balancing it with caregiving can be hard. It’s okay to ask for help.

• Talk to your supervisor about what’s going on, and ask if your schedule can be more flexible
• Ask if your workplace offers an employee assistance program
• Ask if you qualify for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Ask about other flexible options, like different hours, a shorter work week, sharing a job with someone else, or working from home

Keep talking with your employer. Working together can help you find a plan that works for both of you.

For assistance with money, food, medical needs, or other low-cost or no-cost support, visit YesNMConnect.