Family and Friend Caregiver Support Services
When You Realize You’re “The Caregiver”
Many people find themselves helping a parent, partner, sibling, or friend—driving to appointments, managing medications, cooking, cleaning, or offering round-the-clock emotional support—without realizing they’ve stepped into the role of a caregiver. While caring for someone you love can be deeply meaningful, it can also take a toll: constant worry, less time for work or rest, and growing financial strain.
At Guardian Home Care of KS, we understand how heavy that responsibility can feel. That’s why we’re here to help ease the burden with support services tailored to family and friend caregivers—including guidance, resources, and programs that provide financial compensation for the care you’re already giving.
Kansas Medicaid Waivers' Eligibility Criteria To Be Paid As a Family or Friend Caregiver
To receive care from a paid family or friend caregiver in Kansas, the person receiving care and the caregiver must meet a few eligibility criteria. Here they are for each:
Eligibility Criteria For The Person Receiving Care
The person receiving care must choose in-home care and select their caregiver.
They can either be enrolled in—or become eligible for—a Medicaid waiver that allows self-directed care (such as the FE, PD, or BI waiver), or Guardian Home Care of KS can hire their caregiver directly under an agency-directed model with different oversight and rules (the two management models are explained below).
Their eligibility criteria typically include:
The person receiving care must be a Kansas resident.
They must be age-eligible, typically 65+ for FE, 16-64 for PD or BI.
They must have physical or mental limitations that prevent them from performing daily living tasks.
They must complete necessary enrollment and assessment steps through their MCO or case manager.
Eligibility Criteria For The Family or Friend Caregiver
To be paid through Medicaid-funded programs, the chosen caregiver must also meet basic eligibility requirements.
In Kansas, a family member, close friend, or trusted individual can qualify as a paid caregiver if they meet the following criteria:
The caregiver must be an adult (18+) who is physically and mentally able to provide care
They must not be the care recipient’s spouse or legal guardian (with limited exceptions)
The must pass state-required background checks
They must complete required paperwork for employment or enrollment
Income or Assets Over The Medicaid Limits?
If your loved one’s income or assets exceed Medicaid eligibility, they may still qualify for grant-funded support through programs like Older Americans Act (OAA) or Senior Care Act (SCA).
These programs may help pay for personal care, respite, or financial management services for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid but still need in-home support. Some may offer sliding scale options or have flexible eligibility depending on age, health, or disability status.
Our team can guide you through available options and help you apply to the right program for your situation.
Two Ways You Can Manage Care for Your Loved One
In Kansas, individuals who qualify for a Medicaid waiver can typically choose between two models to pay a trusted caregiver. The two models, their structure, and benefits are as follows:
Agency-Directed Care
In this model, your loved one receives care from a family or friend caregiver who becomes employed through Guardian Home Care of Kansas. We handle scheduling, training, supervision, HR, and payroll, giving caregivers the support of a full team and structure.
Self-Directed Care
In this model, the individual receiving care (or their representative) chooses and manages their own caregiver. Guardian Home Care of Kansas acts as the FMS (Financial Management Services) provider, handling payroll, taxes, and administrative tasks. This model offers greater flexibility in how and when care is delivered.
Not Sure Which Model Is Right For You?
Check out the table below for a clear side-by-side comparison of agency-directed and self-directed care.
| Agency-Directed Care | Self-Directed Care |
|---|---|
| Who hires the caregiver? | |
| Guardian Home Care of KS | Client or their representative |
| Who manages care schedules? | |
| Staff of Guardian Home Care of KS | Client or representative |
| Who handles payroll/taxes? | |
| Guardian Home Care of KS | Guardian Home Care of KS (as FMS provider) |
| Supervision & support | |
| Provided by Guardian Home Care of KS | Client manages oversight |
| Flexibility in care hours | |
| Moderate | High |
| Eligibility | |
| Requires background check, waiver or grant eligibility | Requires background check, waiver or grant eligibility |
| Best for... | |
| Families who want professional oversight and structure | Families who want more control and independence |
At Guardian Home Care of Kansas, we can also help you determine which option fits best based on the care needs, eligibility, and your caregiving goals. Both models may be available under Medicaid Waivers or grant-funded programs, depending on your circumstances. Get in touch with us today using one of the below buttons to get the guidance you need.
What Do Paid Caregivers Under The Kansas Medicaid Waiver Actually Do?
If you’re taking care of a loved one and providing any of the services listed below, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your care:
Medication management (medication reminders, etc.)
Companion services
Meal preparation
Grocery shopping
Transportation To Doctor Appointments
Helping with brushing hair, teeth, and other hygienic activities
Helping to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair, or from a wheelchair to a toilet, etc.
Helping them to walk
Light housekeeping or chore services
Bathing, toileting (incontinence care), etc.
Assistance with activities that are part of daily life
Family & Friend Caregiver Support Services We Offer At Guardian Home Care of KS
Supervising & scheduling family or friend caregivers through the agency-directed model
Assisting family caregivers who self-direct their care with FMS support for payroll and billing
Providing training, guidance, and resources to help family caregivers deliver quality care
Ensuring compliance with state requirements such as background checks and documentation
Why Choose Guardian Home Care of KS To Support Your Family or Friend Caregiver Journey?
At Guardian Home Care of KS, we are deeply committed to supporting individuals who want their care delivered by someone they know and trust, whether that’s a daughter, cousin, neighbor, or long-time friend. We bring years of experience navigating the Kansas Medicaid system, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and state-funded programs to make the process easier and more rewarding for family caregivers.
Our administrative team includes professionals who’ve worked as caregivers themselves, including those who support a loved one with complex health needs. This firsthand understanding, combined with our policy knowledge and case management coordination, means that we don’t just process paperwork, we walk alongside you, advocating for the care your family deserves. Our Family and Friend Caregiver Support Includes:
Waiver & MCO Coordination
We coordinate with your MCO case manager (Sunflower, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or Healthy Blue of Kansas) to help you get started or make a smooth transition to our agency. We assist with forms, assessments, authorizations, and time-sensitive documents so you can focus on caregiving.
Agency-Managed Payroll & Benefits
As your Fiscal Intermediary under the agency-directed model, we handle background checks, onboarding, timesheets, and caregiver pay; while making sure you don’t miss out on lesser-known benefits.
Reliable Caregiver Backups
If the designated caregiver can’t cover certain shifts, we can send a trained, background-checked caregiver from our team to ensure your loved one doesn’t go without care.
Trusted Communication with Professionals
We build bridges; with MCOs, state agencies, and local resources; to resolve issues faster and keep your loved one’s care consistent, respectful, and on track.
Funding Options To Receive Care By a Relative or Friend in Kansas
There are several ways to pay a relative or friend to deliver in-home care in Kansas. Below, you’ll find an overview of two common options: Medicaid waivers and grant-funded programs. Each section links to our Services page, where you can explore eligibility details and view step-by-step instructions for getting started.
Steps To Receiving Home Care With a Family or Friend Caregiver With Guardian Home Care of KS
The steps to begin home care with a family or friend caregiver with Guardian Home Care of KS depend on how services will be funded. Select the option that best fits your situation—Medicaid waiver or grant-funded care—to learn the steps to get started. Each path will take you to our Services page, where you’ll find detailed guidance.
