Caregivers are special people who give of their time and energy to help those in need. Their work hours are not the standard nine to five, but more like 24-7. In many cases, with no financial return on their investment of time and energy.
Eventually the caregivers need care. They need a vacation from their 24-7 jobs, or they need emergency care for their special needs patient. So where do they turn for help?
Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442)
According to the Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442), Lifespan Respite is defined as “coordinated systems of community-based respite for family caregivers of children or adults regardless of special need.”
Respite is planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to family caregivers who are caring for that child or adult.
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (ARCH stands for Access to Respite Care and Help) released a new guide: “Federal Funding and Support for Respite: Building Blocks for Lifespan Respite Systems.” This guide provides basic information about each of the federal programs that could provide respite funding or support. It is meant to be used by state Lifespan Respite Care Programs and their partners to help identify the funding sources. And, it can also be useful to family caregivers or those who assist them in helping to identify sources of funding that could be used to pay for respite.
The guide includes information regarding Federal Funding and Support Opportunities for Respite:
- Medicare and Medicaid Programs
- Medicaid Waiver Programs
- Additional Opportunities in Health Care Reform
- Programs for Children Only
- Child Education/Health/Mental Health
- Child and Family Low-Income Assistance
- Programs Serving All Ages
- Programs for the Aging
- Programs for American Indians
- Programs for Military Families and Veterans
The guide is available online.
The mission of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center is to assist and promote the development of quality respite and crisis care programs; to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and to serve as a strong voice for respite in all forums. For more information on the delivery of respite care, click here for the ABCs of Respite.
To find respite in your community, please click here. You can search by state and city to locate the closest ARCH center near you. Virginia offers centers in Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Richmond and Petersburg.
For more information:
Ellen Nau, Program Manager
Human Services Program Coordinator
Virginia Department for the Aging
1610 Forest Avenue Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23229
804-662-9340
Ellen.Nau@vda.virginia.gov
Katie Roeper, Assistant Commissioner
Virginia Department for the Aging
804-662-7047
Katie.Roeper@vda.virginia.gov
Kathy Miller, Director of Programs
Virginia Department for the Aging
804-662-9341
Kathy.Miller@vda.virginia.gov
Caregivers eventually need care. The Lifespan Respite Care Act provides a lifetime to the dedicated 24/7 caregiver who gives of their time and energy to help those in need.
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