Respite care programs are services that provide temporary relief to primary or family caregivers, typically of older adults or those with a chronic illness or disability.
Types of Respite Care
- In-Home Respite Care
- A professional caregiver delivers care at home, allowing the recipient to age in place.
- Adult Day Centers
- Supervised programs in a community provide social activities, meals, and therapeutic services during the day.
- Residential/Facility-Based Respite
- For longer rest or higher levels of care, short-term stays are usually offered in an assisted living community or nursing home.
- Community-Based Respite
- Usually provided by churches, community centers, or non-profit organizations.
- Medical Respite Care for the Homeless
- Dedicated to those who are too frail to recover from illness or injury on the streets but do not require hospitalization, providing safe shelter, clinical care, and aftercare planning.
Depending on the state, funding for respite care is usually influenced by its type, duration, location, and level of care. Moreover, different agencies for respite care may provide funding, including:
- Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
- Most states offer HCBS waivers that include respite care, especially those that meet Medicaid’s eligibility requirements.
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
- The NFCSP grants states the ability to cover caregiver support services, including respite care, through funds from the Older Americans Act. Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) usually provide aid for caregivers of those 60+ or those with cognitive conditions.
- Lifespan Respite Care Program
- Administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), this program allows states to create coordinated systems of respite care for family caregivers of any age with special needs.
