Respite Care is a quirky phrase that’s often misunderstood but it’s a service that’s desperately needed to relieve most family caregivers. Respite means to provide relief to persons who are caring for loved ones. Respite care gives family time away from caregiving responsibilities, essential to caregiver’s well-being and mental health. Families who do not qualify for Medicaid-financed respite programs often have the greatest need. Depending upon the limited programs that are available to these families, respite care can include covering the cost of adult day care, in-home visits, or an outside facility.
This level of care is typically is not covered by private insurance companies, but many may provide chore services, minor home repair, laundry services and meals. Ask your loved one’s health plan provider and check the patient’s long-term care policy for coverage. Veterans benefits offer respite care and Medicare does provide respite care only if the patient is enrolled in a hospice program.
This is a list of programs offering free respite care:
Michigan Alzheimer’s Association, Respite Care Assistance Program
Application requires a physician’s diagnosis: Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia
One-time only $500 reimbursement
Applicant must be the person providing the majority of care for the person with dementia
Service must be provided in the area in which the person with dementia resides
Medical ID Bracelets
The Alzheimer’s Association also provides Safe Return: Medical I.D. bracelets for wanderers. Contact Caitlin Goyer at cegoyer@alz.org, or 248.996.1066.
St. Patrick Senior Center
Assessment determines hours of respite provided
Contact Adrainne Piner at 313.833.7080 x 213
Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair County residents
Services depend upon availability of their trained, background-cleared volunteers
Email or call www.ivcinfo.org, 586.757.5551
Hilarity for Charity respite grant
Online application available to U.S. & Canadian residents
Must be living at home with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia
Caregiver must be facing financial and emotional hardships
Visit www.wearehfc.org for more information
MI Health Link
For those with both Medicaid and Medicare enrolled in a MI Health Link program administered by Aetna, AmeriHealth, HAP, Michigan Complete, Molina, or WellCare
Several ways to get more information:
Contact your member services or your care coordinator to request service
Enroll by calling 800. 975.7630
Call the Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program at 800.803.7174
Visit www.mhlo.org or call 888.746.6456 for more information