Services
Respite care for family caregivers
Caring for someone you love is hard work, and there is nobody to call in sick to. Respite means someone trained steps in so you can step out.
The short answer
Respite care is short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break. A trained caregiver comes to the home for a few hours or longer. In Florida it can be paid by Medicaid Long-Term Care, the iBudget waiver for people under 21 in the family home, state programs such as the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative, or privately.
Ways people use it
- One afternoon a week, every week, to see a doctor or a friend.
- A weekend away or a family wedding.
- Coverage while a caregiver recovers from surgery.
How to make the first time go well
- Start before you are desperate. A short first visit lets everyone get to know each other.
- Write down the routine. Meals, medications, the favorite chair, what makes a bad day better.
- Stay nearby for the first visit if that helps. Then go. Rest is the point.
How it gets paid
| Payer | Who it fits |
|---|---|
| Medicaid Long-Term Care | Enrollees with respite on their plan of care |
| iBudget Florida | People under 21 living in the family home |
| Alzheimer's Disease Initiative | Families caring for someone with dementia, through the Elder Helpline |
| Community Care for the Elderly | People 60 and older with functional limits, through the Elder Helpline |
| Private pay | Anyone, for any length of time we can staff |
We serve families across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Questions families ask
Will my mother accept a stranger?
Often that is the hardest part. Meeting first and keeping the same caregiver helps. Starting small helps too.
Can a parent be paid to give respite?
Under CDC+, a parent or primary caregiver cannot be paid for respite, because respite exists to relieve them.