Respite Care
Respite Care
Sixty percent of family caregivers age 19 to 64 recently surveyed by the Commonwealth Fund reported fair or poor health, one or more chronic conditions, or a disability, compared with only 33% of non-caregivers.
While the caregiver may take joy and pride in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without respite. The caregiver needs to be concerned with their health as well.
Respite care can either be a planned or emergency temporary care or short break provided to unpaid caregivers of a child or adult with disabilities or cognitive loss in order to support and maintain the primary caregiving relationship.
Medicaid waivers provide the largest federal source of funding assistance for respite. Each State develops their own waiver eligibility criteria and conditions for specific populations.