Terry has always cared for her daughter, who has severe intellectual disabilities. When her daughter was 19, she developed schizophrenia, which affected her disabilities and caused her to decline cognitively. Terry needs to help her do everyday activities like brushing her teeth, bathing, feeding, changing her clothes, and medication management.
Before Medicaid support, Terry brought her daughter to work, where she oversees a mental health clinic. It was tough to manage being both a caregiver and at work in the same space; it was difficult for Terry to split her attention if she was in a meeting or with a patient and her daughter needed her. Eventually, Medicaid approved Terry’s daughter for an
adult daycare program. Not only does the program help her work on her cognitive skills
and supports interaction with others, but the program also brings peace of mind to Terry,
allowing her to be present in her job.
Terry also receives a caregiver stipend through Medicaid that supports her for a few hours each day as she cares for her daughter at home. This stipend supplements her employment income and helps alleviate some of the financial stress.
Without the support of Medicaid, Terry would be caring for her daughter 24/7 while trying to work a full-time job. The stress of doing both was unsustainable before. Eventually, Terry would have to leave her job, affecting their family not only financially but emotionally. Terry loves her job and has worked extremely hard to achieve her degree and succeed. Having to quit would be a mental and emotional blow. Medicaid allows Terry to keep her job and to care for her daughter in their home.
“How would you feel if you didn’t have the resources? Because your family is not able to care for you? So these Medicaid resources are crucial for the patient, and for the family itself.”