Resources for Affording Respite Care

Caring for an aging adult can be meaningful, rewarding… and incredibly exhausting. Everyone needs a break from time to time: an opportunity to rest, take care of yourself, or address other responsibilities in life. Without respite, caregivers are at greater risk for burnout and health issues. Whether you need time to take a nap, run errands, or go out with a friend — for a weekend or for half an hour — you might worry about leaving your loved one alone.

A valuable option in this situation is respite care. From home health care to adult day programs to a short-term stay at a senior living facility, respite care allows a caregiver to take a break while knowing their loved one is safe and cared for. Unfortunately, the cost of  professional care providers can be very expensive.
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If you are in need of respite care but concerned about the financial burden, there are some resources that can help bridge the gap — from respite grants to volunteer services.

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Respite grants for anyone caring for an older adult (aged 60+):

• ​​Jewish Family Services’ CARES program provides up to 48 hours of free in-home respite care through a home health agency. If you care for an older adult (60+) who lives in Washtenaw County, you are eligible! The caregiver can live anywhere. To get started with CARES, visit CARES - Caring for Caregivers - JFS of Washtenaw County or call CARES Manager Roberta Hirshon at 207-233-1051.

• ​The Washtenaw Support Network for Caregivers offers frequent social and educational events for caregivers, with free in-home or on-site respite care available during each event. Additionally, a limited amount of free in-home care is available and can be scheduled at your choice of time. To get started with WSNFC, visit https://bit.ly/wsnfc-intake, contact [email protected], or call Program Coordinator Sarah Weiss at 734-217-4557.

• AgeWays’s Respite Voucher Program offers up to $575 which can be used to pay a family member, friend, or professional to provide care. Please note that this voucher program requires a referral from a professional; contact JFS if you need assistance obtaining a referral! Additionally, AgeWays offers other programs providing assistance with in-home direct care for eligible older adults. Find more information here: In-home Care Programs for Michigan Seniors | AgeWays. To learn more or discuss eligibility, visit Assistance Programs for Caregivers | SE Michigan | AgeWays or call AgeWays at (800) 852-7795.

Respite grants for individuals with specific diagnoses

• The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers $1,000 scholarships which can be used to cover the cost of day programs, in-home and/or overnight care by others, including professional caregivers, family, neighbors or friends. The care recipient must have Alzheimer's or dementia. For more information or to apply, call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or send an email to [email protected].

• The Michigan Parkinson Foundation offers assistance with respite care which can take place at home or out-of-home through adult day centers or short-term overnight stays in a facility. The care recipient must have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or a related disorder, and may not permanently live in a long-term facility such as a group home or assisted living facility. For more information or to apply, call 248-419-7170 or email [email protected].

• The Association for Fronto-Temporal Degeneration provides up to $500 which can be used to cover the cost of in-home care, adult day services, overnight stays, or resources to enhance wellbeing such as mental health counseling, yoga, or mindfulness classes. The care recipient must have a diagnosis of Fronto-Temporal Degeneration. For more information or to apply, visit Comstock Respite Grant | AFTD, email [email protected], or call 866-507-7222.

• Team Suzy offers grants which can be used to assist with any form of respite care or other caregiving needs.The care recipient must have a dementia diagnosis. For more information or to apply, visit APPLY FOR A GRANT | Team Suzy or email [email protected].

• Hilarity4Charity offers respite grants to cover the cost of professional care at home or at an adult day center. The care recipient must have a dementia diagnosis and must live with the caregiver applying for assistance. For more information or to apply, visit Supporting Caregivers: The Impact of Care Grants - Hilarity For Charity.

• The Medicare GUIDE Program provides up to $2,500 per year towards in-home, adult day, or 24/7 community care for eligible individuals. Care recipients must have a dementia diagnosis and must be a Traditional Medicare beneficiary (Parts A and B only); they may not be enrolled in a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare’s hospice benefit, or PACE programs. For more information or to apply, contact a participating home care agency. Options in Washtenaw County include BrightStar Care, Cornerstone Caregiving, and Right at Home.

Volunteer Respite
While volunteer programs cannot assist with personal or medical care, there is no cost to participate and they can be a great option for those whose primary respite care need is companionship or social engagement.

• Jewish Family Services Friendly Visitors program pairs homebound or isolated older adults with volunteers who visit on a weekly or biweekly basis to provide companionship and social connection. For more information or to request a Friendly Visitor, contact JFS (734-769-0209).

• Volunteer Caregiver Respite (VCR) | Catholic Charities Washtenaw County. Through this program, a frail senior is matched with a volunteer who will visit for 2-4 hours per week to provide non-medical support, companionship, and socialization. For more information, contact (734) 971-9781 ext. 511.

• Lori's Hands – Community Health Service Learning trains college student volunteers to make weekly visits to community members living with chronic illnesses. Students provide companionship in pairs and can assist with some day-to-day tasks, while clients educate students about the human experience of chronic disease. For more information, visit Clients – Lori's Hands or email [email protected].

Do you know of another respite resource that’s missing from this list? Please contact [email protected] to let us know!

And as always, if there is any way that we can be of assistance to you on your caregiving journey, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jewish Family Services. Both you and the person you care for deserve to have the support that you need.