Respite Care
Respite Care is a program designed for caregivers. While the services are provided to the care recipient (the patient), the primary purpose is to provide the caregiver with a much-needed break. This service ensures that the patient receives professional care and supervision while the caregiver takes time to rest.
Types of Respite Care
Respite care can be provided in various ways depending on the patient’s condition and the situation of the primary caregiver (usually a family caregiver):
- In-Home Respite: A professional caregiver visits the home to care for the patient and provide light housekeeping support.
- Adult Day Care: A structured daytime program that provides social interaction and medical support.
- Residential Respite Care: This is a service where the patient stays away from home in a professional facility for a short period—ranging from a few days to several weeks—to receive 24-hour care.
Benefits
- Caregiver Stress Relief: Prevents mental and physical burnout caused by continuous caregiving.
- Social Interaction: Provides the patient with opportunities for new social contacts and activities.
- Guaranteed Continuity of Care: Ensures that medical and personal needs are met even when the caregiver is absent.
- Securing Personal Time: Helps caregivers attend their own medical appointments, travel, or get sufficient rest.
Eligibility
- Age/Target: New Jersey residents aged 18 or older.
Living Environment: Must reside at home (excludes nursing homes or other facilities). - Health Status: Those who have a functional impairment and have received confirmation from their attending physician that they require assistance from others.
- Caregiving Condition: Those who receive daily basic care and/or supervision from an unpaid caregiver aged 18 or older, such as a spouse, family member, friend, or neighbor.
- Assets: Liquid assets must be $40,000 or less for an individual, or $60,000 or less for a couple.
- Income: Monthly income of $2,982 or less for a single person, or $5,964 or less for a couple.
- Duplicate Program Participation: Those who do not participate in Long-Term Care (MLTSS), Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC), Alzheimer’s Adult Day Services Program (AADSP), Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP), or other NJ FamilyCare programs. Transitioning to Respite Care from JACC or AADSP is possible.
Copay
Respite Care is not a free program. Depending on the recipient’s income, a copayment ranging from 0% to a maximum of 25% of the service cost may be required.
Application and Contact
Resources
