For an older person to remain at home, it’s often necessary that a relative or friend provide substantial assistance. That help usually comes at the expense of the helper’s income and work. Yet family caregiving often saves enormous amounts of money, as many patients would otherwise end up in expensive facilities. Recognizing the sacrifice of family caregivers, the costs savings they facilitate and, perhaps most importantly, the preferences of those receiving the help, some states are now paying family caregivers. Using Medicaid, a few states are now experimenting with modest stipends to friends or loved ones who function as caregivers in the home. In a pilot program, the VA is also trying this. These new payment models acknowledge that with more people needing care at home, and a shortage of home care workers, payment systems need to be more flexible. To find out if your state is experimenting with paid family caregiving, Read This.