The lifespan Respite Care Program, administered by the Administration on Aging, has delivered grants to 29 states and the District of Columbia since 2009. Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee announced this week that more than $1.1 million in additional funding has been awarded to Delaware, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and D.C. to expand the respite caregiving services for family caregivers.
The program, called Lifespan Respite Care Program Expansion (nothing like calling it what it is, right?), pays for direct services for caregivers as well as continued program development activities. As family caregivers can easily become both isolated and exhausted which leads to a decline in their own health and possible depression, the respite caregiving services provides the caregivers with emotional support services necessary to reduce stress and caregiver burnout.
States with respite caregiving program grants are:
Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington State, Wisconsin, Utah.
If you live in one of these states, professional and family caregivers may locate respite services in their community through the National Respite Locator. Each state administers the program in different ways, in addition to recruiting volunteers and offering training and activities.
You may also find By-State contact information in Caregiverlist’s directory along with caregiver training and job opportunities in your area if you would like to pursue a career in caregiving, after having personal experience.
