The Need For Respite
Respite care provides a break, or a time of caregiver relief, from the constant physical and emotional stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. The task of caring for a person with dementia is overwhelming. Family caregivers often develop stress-related illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, or stomach ulcers. An occasional break allows an exhausted caregiver to regroup, both physically and emotionally. As a result, the individual with dementia may remain at home for much longer than would otherwise be possible.
Take the American Medical Association's Caregiver Stress Quiz. Available in English and Spanish.
Description of this Program
The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program is funded by the State Department of Social Services/Elderly Services Division and is operated in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Chapters of Connecticut and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging. Eligible families may apply for daytime or overnight respite care services including but not limited to: adult day care, home health aide, homemaker/companion, skilled nursing or short term nursing care.
How to apply:
- Contact any of the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging at 1(800)994-9422 to request an application
- Return a completed Application Form, Physician's Statement and income and asset documentation for eligibility as directed.
- A Care Manager from the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will contact the applicant and/or caregiver to schedule a home visit to assess the care needs of the person with dementia.
- The Care Manager works with the family to establish a plan of care to address the
needs as presented.
Program Eligibility:
Health Status:
The applicant or authorized agent must provide a Physician's Statement declaring that the patient has Alzheimer's Disease or the related disorders of: Multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington's Disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or Pick's Disease.
Income and Assets:
The applicant must have an income of no more than $41,000 a year and liquid assets of $109,000 or less.
A 20% co-payment of the cost of the service is required.
Associated links:
http://www.alz.org/carefinder/support/support2.asp, http://www.alz.org/ct/
in_my_community_helping.asp.#localres
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2313