Page 6 - Desert Oracle October 2018

Respite Care

Respite services for caregivers of veterans are available in Arizona, thanks to a new
program called Lifespan Respite Care. Most caregivers of loved ones experience both
rewarding and discouraging days. Some caregivers never get away from their home
without taking their loved one with them. For others, running errands or finding time for
themselves presents huge challenges. For most caregivers, their own needs are not
recognized until their stress levels spiral out of control. One way for caregivers to relieve
some of this stress is by getting a “respite,” or short break, now and then to give
themselves the opportunity to take care of their own needs. The Lifespan Respite Care
Program can provide this much-needed respite.

Respite services offer short-term care of the loved one by a qualified professional
caregiver, allowing the family caregiver to take a break from his or her caregiving
responsibilities. Services can be provided in the form of in-home respite care or day
center services when appropriate and available.

Lifespan Respite Care is directed toward primary caregivers of adults or children with
special needs, physical needs, or chronic illness who do not currently qualify for other
publicly funded respite services. Veterans who are at home and receiving care from a
loved one, but who are not receiving respite services from the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) or other public programs, can qualify for this program.

Lifespan Respite Care was designed to help those who fall through the age and
eligibility cracks of other respite programs currently active in the state. Parents, adult
children, and other relatives and friends can receive respite services for caring for their
loved ones who are between the ages of 18 and 59. (Already established Family
Caregiver Support Programs provide respite services for caregivers of loved ones who are
60 years old and older.) The caregiver’s age is not considered as part of the eligibility
criteria.

Both the Lifespan Respite Care Program and the Family Caregiver Support Program
are provided throughout the state of Arizona through the local Area Agencies on Aging.
In Maricopa County, contact the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, for more
information about these programs by calling the 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at (602)
264-4357. Contact information for other regions in Arizona is listed below.

County Served: Maricopa
Area Agency on Aging, Region One
1366 East Thomas Road, Suite 108
Phoenix, Arizona 85014-5739

Primary phone access: Senior HELP LINE – (602) 264-4357
Toll Free: (888) 783-7500