1. What is respite?
Respite is a temporary break for caregivers from their regular caregiving responsibilities. These breaks can allow caregivers to do things they would not otherwise have time for or be able to do. Examples of respite include:
- Taking a walk in the park alone
- Attending a twice-weekly yoga class
- Rejoining the church choir
- Spending a weekend away with friends
2. Where does respite take place?
Respite can be provided in a variety of settings. Caregivers can select the type that best suits their needs as well as the needs of their loved one. Examples include: at home, at a relative’s home, at a day program, at a camp, or even at a residential facility.
3. Who provides respite care?
The respite provider must be at least 18 years old and not permanently live in the same home as the care recipient. Respite can be provided by someone the caregiver trusts, i.e. a friend, a neighbor, an adult child, or a paid professional. The caregiver is responsible for selecting and/or training the respite provider. If you need help finding additional sources of respite care, the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center website has a searchable database of provider agencies: http://www.delawareadrc.com/ At this time, Delaware does not support a database of individual respite providers.
If you choose a provider you do not know, and who is not part of an agency, be sure to do appropriate background checks such as through the Adult Abuse Registry: Adult Abuse Registry or Sex Offender Registry: Sex Offender Registry, as well as in-person and/or phone interviews to assure you feel comfortable with the person you hire.
4. What is the respite voucher program?
Through the Respite Voucher program we help families fund respite care to give the caregiver a temporary break. We have two Easterseals Respite Voucher programs:
- Lifespan Respite: provides grants to caregivers who are seniors or caring for seniors. The age requirements are:
- Caregiver at least 55 years old OR
- Care recipient at least 60 years old OR
- Care recipient with a diagnosis of dementia or a related disorder
- Relative Respite: provides grants to grandparents and other non-parent relatives 55 or older who are raising a child or children under the age of 18
5. Who is eligible to receive grant funding through the Easterseals respite programs?
You are eligible to apply for a voucher if you meet the above age requirements and:
- You and the person to whom you provide care are Delaware residents
- You are providing unpaid care to the person
- You do not receive respite funding from another agency or program
Other specific eligibility criteria for each program can be found on this page.
7. Are there other respite programs available to help me afford respite care?
There may be, depending on your situation. You can get more information from one of our Case Managers: by emailing resources@esdel.org
New Castle office at 302-221-2076
Milford office at 302-253-1129
Or complete the form at this link to have someone contact you: Caregiver Contact Form
8. How do I use the respite voucher?
This is a reimbursement program. Once you secure your respite provider and enjoy your respite time, you submit an invoice to Easterseals for the amount you paid the provider. Easterseals will then reimburse you via direct deposit. Once an invoice for reimbursement is received, it could take up to four weeks for reimbursement. If this method is a hardship, please contact our office and we can discuss other options: 302-221-2087 or resources@esdel.org
If you are approved for a voucher, you will receive an approval packet in the mail from Easterseals. The packet will have all the information you need for the program.
9. How much is the voucher?
At this time, caregivers receive a voucher for $500 for one care recipient. If there are additional care recipients, i.e. a grandparent raising several children, additional funding is available on a pro-rated basis. The grant cycle runs from October 1st through September 30th. So once approved, funding must be used and invoices submitted by September 1st to allow time for processing.
You may only apply once per funding cycle (October through September). You may, however, apply each year by submitting a new application and updated medical information.
10. What if I don’t use all my funding?
We want you to use all your funding! By taking small breaks throughout the year, i.e. a twice-weekly yoga class, or by using it one weekend for a family wedding, taking time for yourself is invaluable. We have a Respite Planning Tool to help you think about how you want to use your respite time. If you are unsure of how to use the respite, please feel free to contact one of our staff at: resources@esdel.org or 302-221-2291.
If you find you will not be able to use some or all of your awarded funds, i.e. due to a change in status of your loved one, please contact us as soon as possible. We always have a waiting list, and unused funds prevent others from having access to respite funding. Unspent funds awarded to caregivers cannot be carried over to another year.
