Can I Get Paid to Take Care of My Elderly Parent in Maryland?

If you are helping your mom or dad with bathing, meals, and getting around the house, you have probably wondered, "Can I get paid to take care of my elderly parent in Maryland?" For many families the answer is yes. Maryland Medicaid has programs that pay family caregivers, including adult children, to provide personal care at home. This guide covers who qualifies, what the job pays, and where to start.

The Short Answer

Yes. If your parent has Maryland Medicaid, or is close to qualifying, and needs help with daily living, you can usually be hired as their paid caregiver through one of two Maryland Medicaid programs: Community First Choice (CFC) or Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS). You work through a licensed home care agency, which employs you, handles payroll, and pays you for approved hours. For a full step-by-step guide, see how to get paid to care for a family member in Maryland (opens in new tab).

Which Maryland Medicaid Program Pays Family Caregivers?

Community First Choice (CFC)

Community First Choice CFC (opens in new tab) is for people with full Maryland Medicaid who need a nursing home level of care but want to stay at home. Along with personal assistance, it can include supports planning, nurse monitoring, home-delivered meals, home modifications, and assistive technology, according to the Maryland Department of Health (opens in new tab).

Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS)

CPAS (opens in new tab) is for people with full Maryland Medicaid who need help with at least one activity of daily living but don't need a nursing home level of care. It covers personal assistance, nurse monitoring, and supports planning, according to the Maryland Department of Health (opens in new tab).

What about the Community Options Waiver?

The Community Options Waiver, once called the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver, also serves adults who need a nursing home level of care. Family Love Care serves it too, but enrollment is capped and there is a waiting list, so it is less common. For most older adults, CFC or CPAS is the faster route.

Who Can Be the Paid Caregiver?

The person receiving care chooses their caregiver. In Maryland, eligible individuals include:

• Adult children, the most common paid family caregiver for an elderly parent.
• Spouses. In Maryland, a spouse CAN be paid to care for their husband or wife.
• Other family members, such as grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews.
• Friends and neighbors. The caregiver doesn't have to be family.

A caregiver can't be the participant's authorized representative, and a parent can never be paid to care for their own minor child in any Maryland program. Once the child turns 18, a parent can be paid as their caregiver. Caregivers must be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, and complete state-required training, which Family Love Care provides for free.

How Much Does Maryland Pay to Take Care of Elderly Parents?

Through Family Love Care, Maryland caregivers earn $15 to $18 per hour, depending on the program, location, and care needs. Your total caregiver pay depends on how many hours the state approves after your parent's assessment. Pay rates and hours vary from family to family, so there's no single monthly amount. You can see more on our CFC pay rates (opens in new tab) and CPAS pay rates (opens in new tab) pages.

How to Qualify to Get Paid for Taking Care of an Elderly Parent

The eligibility requirements are about your parent, not you. Your parent generally needs:

• Full Maryland Medicaid. For older adults, the 2026 asset limit is $2,500 for one person, according to the Maryland Department of Aging (opens in new tab). Income rules depend on the Medicaid category.
• A documented care need. Help with at least one activity of daily living for CPAS, or a nursing home level of care for CFC. A nurse from the local health department completes the state assessment.

A good first call is Maryland Access Point (opens in new tab) at 1-844-627-5465, or Family Love Care. Maryland home care comes directly from Medicaid, not through your parent's health insurance plan (MCO), so the process can look different from what families expect. We help families get started.

What to Do With Elderly Parents With No Money

Low income and few savings often make a parent more likely to qualify for Maryland Medicaid, not less. If your parent has limited money, apply for Medicaid first through myMDTHINK (opens in new tab). Many families who think their parent will need nursing home placement find that personal care services at home, paid through Medicaid, let their parent stay home instead. If your parent has more savings than the limit, an elder law attorney can explain the options before you rule anything out.

What If Caring for a Parent Becomes Too Much?

Many family caregivers do this while working another job. Being paid can make caregiving sustainable, but it doesn't solve everything. A few places to turn:

• Caregiver support: the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program (opens in new tab), run through local Area Agencies on Aging, offers caregiver support resources.
• Support groups: local agencies and community based organizations run caregiver support groups, in person and online.
• More hours or more help: if your parent's needs increase, ask the program for a reassessment of the hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live with my parent to be their paid caregiver?

No. In Maryland, the caregiver doesn't need to live with, or even be related to, the person receiving care.

Can my mom be paid to care for my dad?

Yes. Unlike some states, Maryland lets a spouse be the paid caregiver for their husband or wife.

Do I need a certification to get paid?

No nursing license or certification is needed for personal care. You do need to pass a background check and complete the required training, which Family Love Care provides at no cost.

Why Work With Family Love Care

Family Love Care is a home care agency that helps Maryland families with enrollment in home care benefits and gets family caregivers paid. In Maryland, we also provide RN clinical oversight and free caregiver training. You stay your parent's caregiver, with the same flexibility as caring for them on your own, and we handle the administrative side. If you are already caring for your mom or dad, contact Family Love Care (opens in new tab) to find out if they qualify.