Paying for Care
Medicaid HCBS waivers
Medicaid HCBS waivers are how millions of dementia families afford in-home care, adult day, and respite. Eligibility is income + asset based — and the rules are state-specific.
Updated 2026-02-20
What HCBS waivers can pay for
- In-home personal care assistants.
- Adult day health programs.
- Respite — both in-home and overnight at a facility.
- Home modifications — grab bars, ramps, accessible bathrooms.
- Sometimes a family member as a paid caregiver (Consumer-Directed Care).
Getting through the application
- Call your state Medicaid office — ask specifically about "HCBS waivers for dementia."
- Expect a waitlist in some states.
- An elder-law attorney can help structure assets if you're close to the income/asset thresholds.
- Memory Lane's Care Team Summary helps speed up the medical documentation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there an asset limit?
- Yes — varies by state, typically $2,000 individual, $3,000 couple, but home and one car are usually excluded. Some states are more generous.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
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Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
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