Many older adults utilize family members or other loved ones as paid or unpaid caregivers, allowing them to remain in their home with caregiver support. However, this can be a difficult task for a family caregiver to take on, as they often have a full time job and their own family to support. If the care receiver is on Medicaid, they may be eligible for respite care, either in-home or in a long-term care facility. Respite services are when another paid caretaker comes in to relieve the regular caregiver of their duties for a set period of time, or when the care receiver stays in a nursing home for a short period of time when they otherwise would live at home.
Medicaid waiver programs like Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) often provide short-term respite care services as an option for times when the primary caregiver is out of town or otherwise unable to care for the care recipient. Typically, the recipient’s care needs must be at a high level (ie: they would otherwise have to reside in a nursing facility). Respite care providers can provide care in-home or out-of-home in an assisted living facility or adult day center. Service providers often provide direct care and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). These respite care programs are often capped at a certain number of hours or days per year, so that respite cannot be used as a long-term service.
Medicare, not to be confused with Medicaid, also offers respite care, but it is capped at five days and is only available for hospice patients. Care providers seeking temporary relief from their duties can contact the Arch National Respite Network or their local Area Agency on Aging to assist with finding support services. However, before asking for referrals or contacting a resource center, providers should verify whether their state’s Medicaid plan provides respite care services.