When you’re caring for someone with dementia, your attention naturally stays on the day-to-day. It’s easy to overlook that there are programs designed to support you, too. And even if you’ve heard about caregiver financial assistance, you might assume it’s difficult to access. If you belong to either of these groups, this is the article for you.
Here’s the good news: dementia caregiver financial support does exist, and you don’t have to jump through a million hoops to get it. For many families, this help can make it possible to step away for a few hours without worrying about their loved one’s well-being.
Financial Support to Help Cover Respite Care
Through Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, eligible caregivers can receive reimbursement for respite care services. You could qualify for up to $1200 in a 12-month period. You may use the money to hire someone to stay with your loved one while you take time to rest, run errands, or focus on your own needs for a change.
Because funding is limited, availability can vary, so we encourage you to look into this right away and confirm eligibility before making any plans.
Do You Qualify for Respite Reimbursement Assistance?
Here are the requirements for participation in this respite care reimbursement program:
- The person receiving care must have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, with documentation from their doctor.
- They must live at home – either in their own home or with a family member or caregiver (not in a long-term care or assisted living facility).
- The caregiver has to hire a sitter or home health aide who is not a relative or someone living in the home.
- The individual receiving care must live within one of the following parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena.
If you think you might qualify, the next step is to fill out this application form. Once you’re approved, you can start exploring your family’s respite options.
For questions or additional information on caregiver resources, reach out by phone at 225-334-7494.
Support is Available
If you’ve been managing most of the caregiving on your own, this may be one of those moments where it’s worth pausing to explore what support is available.
You don’t have to figure everything out at once. But looking into help like this can be a simple first step toward making caregiving feel a little more doable.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about this amazing resource for caregivers of dementia patients. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you begin taking time to care for yourself, too.
