Respite care allows your caregiver A caregiver is anyone who provides help and support to someone who is either temporarily or permanently unable to function or someone who can function but not optimally. Most caregivers are unpaid, and are often a family member, friend, or neighbor. Formal caregivers are paid care providers or volunteers associated with a service system. to rest while you temporarily stay in a hospital or other facility. Medicare Medicare is the federal government health insurance program that provides health care coverage if you are 65 or older, are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, begin receiving SSDI due to ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) no matter your age. You can receive health coverage directly through the federal government (see Original Medicare) or through a private company (see Medicare Advantage). only covers respite care under the hospice benefit.
If you are not eligible for Medicare-covered respite care, you may want to consider other options, such as the following:
- An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) may be able to connect you with services in your area.
- Adult day service organizations (also known as adult day care) generally offer supervision and meals during the day.
- Respite care organizations in your area may provide services at low or reduced costs.
You can also contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance and counseling.