The Caregiver Respite Program supports family caregivers by helping to cover the cost for someone else to provide care for the person with dementia. This may take place in the home, at an adult day-care program, or overnight in a facility (on a limited basis). The care may be provided by a family member, friend, or neighbor, someone from a homecare agency or an adult day program. The respite program allows caregivers the opportunity to take some time for themselves to re-energize, do something for fun, or get necessary errands done.
The Caregiver Respite Program can reimburse up to $3,040 a year (which is 80% of a total annual cap of $3800) of what it costs to have someone come into the home a few hours a week, or several hours of adult day care per week. It can also help with the cost of up to two full weeks of overnight continual care in an assisted living or nursing facility. Furthermore, up to $2,000 (lifetime) can be used to help cover the cost of home modifications needed to promote independent living.
In order to qualify for the Caregiver Respite Program, there must be a written diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or related memory disorder from a physician, liquid assets cannot exceed $50,000 for one person or $75,000 for a couple, and there must not be any assistance from any other state subsidized programs.
For more information, or to apply, contact the Family Caregiver Program at Spectrum Generations at 1-800-639-1553.
The public is invited to call the Agency’s Consumer Helpline at 1-800-639-1553. The Agency’s web site is located at www.spectrumgenerations.org