Respite Program

Respite services provide infrequent and temporary substitute care or supervision for adults who are frail or have disabilities.

The goals of the Respite Program are to:

• Provide caregivers with relief and support from the physical, emotional, and mental stress associated with caregiving
• Allow caregivers time to address their own personal needs
• Support individuals in remaining in their communities by preventing or delaying institutionalization

While all local offices for the aging provide respite services, NYSOFA directly funds six respite programs. These include five community-based organizations and one local office for the aging that collectively serve 23 counties across New York State.

Services available under the Respite Program may include:

1. Information to caregivers about available services.
2. Assistance in gaining access to the services, including information, assistance and case management.
3. Individual caregiver counseling, organization of caregiver support groups, and/or caregiver training focused on health, nutrition, and financial literacy, decision-making, and problem-solving related to caregiving responsibilities.
4. Respite care (in-home and/or out-of-home) to provide caregivers with temporary relief from caregiving duties.
5. Supplemental services provided on a limited basis to complement the care provided by caregivers.

To be eligible for the Respite Program, an individual must be a caregiver, defined as a family member or other non-paid individual who regularly provides care or supervision to an adult who is frail and/or has disabilities. The caregiver may or may not reside in the same household as the care receiver.

The care receiver must be an adult who is unable to meet daily needs without assistance or regular supervision due to a mental or physical impairment and who is otherwise eligible for services based on that impairment. Priority is given to care receivers who are frail and/or have disabilities and are 60 years of age or older.

Elder Law Section 208

The following six organizations receive Respite Program funding from NYSOFA:

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany (serves Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington Counties)
• EAC, Inc (serves Nassau County)
• Nascentia Home Aides of Central New York (serves Onondaga County)
• Madison County Office for the Aging (serves Madison County)
• New York Foundation for Senior Citizens (serves the boroughs of Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan)
• RiseWell Community Services (serves Suffolk County)

For questions and additional information about the State Respite Program, please contact: [email protected].