NV COPE

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Does caregiving make you feel overwhelmed? The Nevada Community Options Program for the Elderly (COPE) can lend a helping hand. This program provides non-medical services so seniors can live independently in their homes instead of moving to a nursing home. With COPE's support, you can rest easy knowing your loved one is getting the care they need while staying in the comfort of their own home.

What is Nevada COPE?

The COPE program provides support services like personal care assistance, housekeeping, and meal preparation to qualified Nevada seniors, allowing them to continue living at home rather than entering a nursing facility. The program is an excellent option for aging adults who want to maintain their self-sufficiency and stay in their homes while still receiving the help they need.

Note that Nevada offers a very similar program for Medicaid eligible seniors called the Home and Community Based Waiver, previously known as the CHIP Program.

Who is eligible for Nevada COPE?

Age and Residency Requirements: Applicants must be age 65 or older and legal residents of Nevada.

Health and Disability Requirements: Care recipients must require a nursing home level of care, meaning they need assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, eating, and getting dressed.

Financial Requirements:

• Single applicants must have a monthly income between $2,742 and $3,958.85 (as of 2023).
• Asset limits are $10,000 for singles and $30,000 for couples.

What services does Nevada COPE provide?

• Case Management: Coordinate care needs.
• Personal Care Assistance: Help with bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
• Homemaker Services: Housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation.
• Adult Daycare: Supervision and activities.
• Companion Care: Socialization and companionship.
• Personal Emergency Response Systems: Safety monitoring.
• Chore Services: Home safety needs.
• Respite Care: Relieve family caregivers.

How do family caregivers get paid with Nevada COPE?

COPE empowers consumers to direct their care, allowing participants to hire certain family members as paid caregivers. This can include sons, daughters, grandkids, or other close relatives. Friends can also be hired, although all caregivers require state approval and regulation.

How to apply to Nevada COPE?

1. Contact: Your local Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) regional office.
2. Request and Complete: The COPE program application.
3. Submit Documentation: Provide required documents to verify age, residency, income, assets, and medical/functional needs.
4. Assessment: To determine the level of care needs.
5. Approval: Work with a case manager to set up services.

Where to submit the documents: Applications and documents should be submitted to the ADSD regional office serving your county. A list of regional office locations can be found on Nevada's aging services website.

Support services for caregivers

Caring for an aging loved one can be demanding, but the COPE program offers a safety net of support services to help you navigate these challenges. COPE is a fantastic program that empowers seniors to age at home and in their communities while receiving necessary support and care.

For family caregivers in Nevada, the COPE program provides essential support services to help seniors live safely in their homes and neighborhoods. These non-medical home and community-based services can be used as an alternative to institutional long-term care. If you or a loved one is eligible for COPE, exploring the available services and assistance to make aging in place possible is worth exploring.