Family Caregiver Program Get Paid to Care for the Person You Love
You could get paid to take care of a loved one.
The Family Caregiver Program’s purpose is to keep family members home where they’re comfortable instead of in a nursing home — offering a paid family caregiver program in Western PA for those who qualify. The program also helps financially support family caregivers for the time they spend caregiving.
With the Family Caregiver Program, family members have the opportunity to be hired by DON Services as caregivers for their loved ones — getting paid while spending time with them and helping with daily tasks. This gives families the flexibility to take their loved ones out and enjoy activities like grocery shopping, dining out, going to the movies, or even taking a vacation together.
Programs That Fund This
Each program serves a different age group or need. Family caregiving is funded through Pennsylvania Medicaid waiver programs — including Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver services. See our Programs page for full details on what’s available and how to enroll.
How It Works
Who Can Be a Paid Caregiver
Most family members — including adult children and siblings — can be hired as paid caregivers. Spouses, individuals with Power of Attorney or Legal Guardianship, and Representative Payees for the care recipient are not eligible to be designated as Family Caregivers.
Employment & Pay
Family caregivers hired through DON Services become official employees — not independent contractors. That means payroll, tax withholding, and workers’ compensation are handled for you, the same as any other DON caregiver.
Pay rates and approved hours depend on the funding program and the care recipient’s assessed needs.