Respite care is a valuable service that provides temporary relief to primary caregivers, allowing them to take a much-needed break from the demands of caring for a sick, elderly, or disabled family member. Whether it's a few hours a week or an extended vacation, respite care can help ease the burden of family care and restore energy and balance in life. It can also benefit the person being cared for, providing variety, encouragement, and a welcome change of routine. The cost of respite care may vary depending on the disability status related to the VA service and the financial situation of the person receiving the services. Most locations accept temporary care patients for as long as they need to stay or get help, but it usually doesn't cover the night rest period.
Long-term care policies and programs for veterans can subsidize the cost of care. Medicaid may cover respite care if it is provided in the home of the person receiving care. However, if a person goes to an assisted living facility for temporary care because their family is moving out of town, Medicaid won't cover that care. Foster care wouldn't stop you from continuing to qualify as a primary caregiver, as it's only temporary, short-term relief. To safely provide breathing room during the pandemic, check out the ARCH Voluntary National Guidelines for Safely Providing or Using Respect During the Pandemic. You can also download the ARCH National Palliative Care Guidelines for free to help you develop a high-quality relief service. There are a variety of private and nonprofit relief programs available depending on your location.
You should be able to install some probes in your area to find out if local resources can provide you with respite care assistance. If you seek respite services promptly and often, you'll be better able to maintain interests outside your loved one's care and preserve your own identity.
