Information to Share with Caregivers
About Locating Respite Resources in King County
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IV. Description of Respite Services
Home Care Agency Workers
Agencies provide workers who can perform in-home duties, ranging from simple companionship, to supervision, to skilled nursing care. Fees for service are by the hour and usually there are a minimum number of hours per visit (typically 2-4 hours). Using a home care agency relieves the caregiver of screening and hiring responsibilities, and also of completing payroll and taxes. Before assigning a worker, most agencies send a nurse or social worker to your home to assess the needs of the care recipient. In the case of worker illness or unavailability, the agency should provide a replacement and is responsible for supervision of the worker or assisting if problems arise. Most agencies require that workers are licensed or bonded.
Hiring On Your Own Respite Provider
Hiring a caregiver privately may be less expensive than using an agency, but it is also more complicated. The individual or family becomes the worker’s employer and assumes responsibility for paying wages and meeting IRS tax reporting requirements.
The caregiver is also responsible for all supervision as well as disciplinary action if conflict should arise. In the event of worker illness, or if the situation does not work out, the caregiver is responsible for finding a replacement. Before hiring a worker privately, it's important to assess their knowledge and skill for the type of assistance you need. It is also important to complete a thorough reference and background criminal history check on any worker you hire.
Caregiver Registries
Some organizations maintain lists of persons who are seeking home care work. These organizations may screen and check the references of workers, or they may simply list names of persons seeking work. Registries may provide some training to the worker and may also provide assistance to the caregiver with the hiring process. However, once selection is made, the caregiver is responsible for ongoing monitoring of care.
Whether you use an agency or hire on your own, it’s a good idea to develop a job description with specific information about the expected tasks and schedule for their completion. Some caregivers assemble a "care-book" to share with in-home workers that includes information about the person’s needs and preferences, life story, medications, and daily routines.
Volunteer Services
Some non-profit and faith-based organizations sponsor volunteer home services to older persons and to individuals with disabilities and their families. They most often assist individuals and families with limited or fixed-incomes and those not eligible for government or other social services. These programs recruit, train, and provide support to a pool of volunteers who can assist in the home for a few hours a week. Services offered vary, but can include respite care, light housekeeping, transportation, or yard work. Volunteer programs often have waiting lists, so it’s good to call well in advance.
Adult Day Programs
There are special respite programs for people who have physical or cognitive disabilities. Some programs meet once or twice a week and provide social and recreational activities for participants, as well as respite for caregivers. Other programs are open 8 hours a day, 5-7 days a week and provide a full range of health, recreational, and social work services. Fees vary and financial assistance may be available for persons with low or fixed incomes.
Day services have benefits for both the caregiver and the individuals needing care.. Many offer individualized social and activity programs designed to appeal to people at different levels of ability. Some programs may offer transportation and support groups. For working caregivers, day services may be a cost-effective alternative to home care, and one that allows the family to avoid out-of-home placement. Before choosing day services, visit the programs nearest you and talk to them about the services they offer. As with home care, it’s a good idea to develop a "care book" that includes vital information about your family member.
For lists of adult day programs contact Senior Information and Assistance or
Washington Adult Day Services Alliance
(WADSA) at 206-461-3899.
Residential Respite Care
Some nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities offer residential respite care or “short stays”. Residential services are offered on a case-by-case basis and dependent upon available space. The length of time allowed for a respite stay varies from facility to facility, but may range from three days to two weeks. Most facilities require a complete assessment before accepting a short-term resident. Fees vary widely for residential services, but expect to pay between $75 and $250 per day. It is important to visit the facility in advance and to check with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at (206) 623-0816 for information about the facility.
Government Sponsored Long-Term Care and Respite Programs
Seattle-King County Aging and Disability Services sponsors a respite program that offers services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale to eligible persons who reside in King County. Services are usually provided for four hours once or twice a week, and people have the option to receive respite in their homes or at a day program.
A senior or a person with a disability who meets financial and medical eligibility requirements may also be eligible to receive home care, day care, or residential care services through the COPES or Medicaid Personal Care programs sponsored by the Home and Community Services Division of the Aging and Disability Services Administration, DSHS. Contact Senior Information and Assistance, toll-free, at 1 (888) 435-3377 for information, pre-screening, and a referral to the Aging and Disability Seattle-King County Respite Program and the COPES/Medicaid Personal Care Programs. You may also call DSHS directly to apply for COPES/MPC programs at 1 (800) 346-9257.
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Individuals must be evaluated and meet eligibility requirements to receive services through the Divison of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). If you are caring for an individual with a developmental disability who receives DDD services and you are interested in respite care services you can contact the DDD Case/Resource Manager assigned to work with the individual you are caring for. If you have questions about eligibility you can contact DDD at (206) 568-5634 for more information.
Crisis Nurseries
Crisis Nurseries provide temporary, emergency childcare at no charge. The voluntary nature of these programs has been developed as a way to help strengthen families with young children, thereby preventing possible abuse and neglect. In today’s often disconnected and busy world, families face multiple stressors and frequently lack necessary family involvement. Crisis Nurseries play an increasingly important role especially for vulnerable children whose parents face stressors such as unemployment, chemical abuse, domestic violence and/or lack of consistent support.
Crisis Nurseries are either center-based or community-based; i.e., caring for children at one location or within licensed childcare providers’ homes in the community. In addition, Crisis Nurseries provide 24-hour crisis counseling and case management services, along with 24-hour emergency respite care for families in need.
For more information, contact Childhaven at (206) 264-1973 (Information Line) or (206) 328-KIDS (5437)
(24-hour Crisis Line)
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For more information about the Respite and Crisis Care Coalition of Washington
Contact Mary Jo Magruder at (206) 364-4645 x7010
or email at
mjmagruder@arcofkingcounty.org
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