Alzheimer’s Respite Program
Family caregivers generally find that the task of caring for a person with dementia is overwhelming. An occasional break from caregiving enables an exhausted caregiver to regroup, both physically and emotionally. Funded by the State Unit on Aging and operated in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut Chapter and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging, the program offers an opportunity to purchase respite services designed to provide a break, or a limited time of caregiver relief, from the constant physical and emotional stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. The program may subsidize the cost of services not to exceed an amount of up to $7,500 per year, however, this funding is contingent upon available funding and subject to the applicant’s level of need as determined by the Care Manager. Funding is available for respite services that include, but are not limited to: Adult Day Care, Home Health Aide, Personal Care Assistant, Homemaker, Companion, Nursing Care, Personal Emergency Response System or short term nursing home or assisted living care. Families may also choose a Self-Directed option that allows them to hire a private caregiver through a fiduciary.
Eligibility for this program
In order to access the Respite Care Program, a complete application must be submitted to Senior Resources.
Dementia Diagnosis: The Applicant or authorized agent must provide a completed “Physician Statement” form (included in the application) from a physician stating that the patient has a diagnosis of irreversible and deteriorating dementia. Dementias may include but are not limited to: Alzheimer’s Disease, Multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or Pick’s Disease.
Financial Eligibility: The individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia must meet financial eligibility requirements to participate in this program. The individual with dementia cannot have an income of more than $55,561.00 a year, or have liquid assets of more than $147,715.00. In addition, a 20% co-payment of the cost of the service is required unless waived by the Agency on Aging Care Manager due to financial hardship..
The following are considered income:
Social Security, Supplemental Security, Railroad Retirement income; pensions; wages; interest; dividends; net rental income; veteran’s pension; and any other payments received on a one-time or recurring basis. If accounts are jointly owned with a spouse, 50% of the total interest income in the account will be counted as applicant income.
The following are considered liquid assets:
Checking accounts, savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, certificates of deposits, stocks, or bonds that can be converted into cash within 20 working days. If an asset is jointly owned with a spouse, 50% of the total asset value will be counted as the applicant’s asset.
Other considerations: The individual with dementia cannot be receiving services from the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders.
If there is an individual authorized to act on behalf of the individual with dementia (such as a Conservator or Power of Attorney), documentation of this designation should be provided with the application.
For more information contact Senior Resources – Agency on Aging at 860-887-3561.