Connecticut's Respite Care Program is funded by the State Department of Social Services and operated in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut and the five Area Agencies on Aging.
Respite services are available for persons (1) with a diagnoses of Alzheimer's or related disorders, (2) who are at risk of long term institutional placement if the person's regular caregiver could not continue to provide caregiver services, and (3) have an annual income of less than $41,000 and liquid assets of less than $109,000. Recipients of the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders Program (CHCPE) are also ineligible for this Respite program.
Those eligible may not receive more than $3,500 for services or receive more than 30 days of out-of-home respite care services during the fiscal (July through June) year. Respite care may include companions, homemakers, personal care services, adult day care services, short-term inpatient care in a nursing facility, and private duty nursing. Benefits are subject to the availability of funding. There is a 20% copayment requirement. However, this copayment may be reduced or waived by the local Area Agency on Aging based on financial hardship.
DSS regulations require that applications for this program be processed and written notice provided within 30 days of application. There is no provision for administrative appeals.
Applications may be obtained from, and filed with the local Area Agency on Aging. For more information or an application form, call 1-800-994-9422 or see information on this program at the Department of Social Services web site.
National Family Caregivers Support Program
Limited funds are available to provide caregivers with a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities from the National Family Caregiving Support Program. To be eligible for these funds an adult caregiver must be caring for a family member 60 years of age or older or be a grandparent or other relative caregiver who is 60 or older and caring for a child 18 years of age or younger.
Information, support groups, caregiver counseling and training and some supplement "fill the gap" items and services are also available through this program.
To apply for these services, contact the local Agency on Aging.
