What is Respite Service?
Respite Services provide relief for live-in, 24-hour, family caregiver from the continual demand and stress of providing supervision and/or personal care to individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. This is accomplished by utilizing qualified individuals to take care of your loved one while you get a break, or “respite”, from the demands of providing constant care. Respite can be provided by contracted agency staff or volunteers.
How does CSI Office on Aging Intensive Respite work?
The CSI Office on Aging has limited funds available to provide respite services within the eight counties of South-Central Idaho. When a request for respite service is received by the Office on Aging, the caregiver and care recipient is assessed. The senior services specialist will authorize the expenditure of funds for the amount of hours required to complete the authorized tasks. Intensive Respite services are provided by a trained and supervised worker that is contracted by the CSI Office on Aging. The provider agency is chosen by the consumer from a list of contracted agencies.
Who is eligible for this service?
- Persons of any age who serve as unpaid caregivers for persons 60 years or older, or unpaid caregivers for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease of any age.
- Individuals age 55 or older who are relative caregivers of a “child”.
Scope of Work
Types of Service Performed
The service provider shall perform tasks according to the direction of the caregiver and to continue care from where the caregiver leaves off. The current rate is $18.50 per hour. Family Caregiver Intensive Respite service includes, but are not limited to, the following activities
- Personal care - Assistance with activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, and hygiene
- Watching and protecting the care recipient, in the caregivers absence
- Companionship
- Supervision and cuing
- Light cleaning of the home - The provider will ensure the safety and care of care recipient prior to completing any home management tasks.
- Ambulation assistance
- Making a light meal and serving care recipient
- Washing dishes
- Medication reminders, if appropriate
Service Limitations
- When personal care services are a part of the supportive services plan, those services shall be provided by trained Respite employees
- Services requiring supervision of a registered nurse in accordance with the Nurse Practices Act shall not be performed by respite workers.
- The Respite provider shall provide adequate and appropriate insurance coverage prior to assigning its respite employees to assist care recipients with personal care tasks.
- Respite workers shall not transport caregivers or care recipients.
- Medical judgment - Respite workers shall not administer medications and make determinations regarding advanced directives
Respite Provider Requirements
- Valid current Medicaid certification
- Insurance coverage for employer’s Liability, Comprehensive Liability and Workers Compensation.
- A Training program for workers consisting of a minimum of 10 hours per year per employee.
- Appropriate background checks for all employees.
- Documentation to assure provider is not discriminating on illegal grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, creed, age, marital status, veteran’s status or disability.
- Have a current policy for grievance resolution for clients as well as workers.
- Maintain a drug free workplace.
- Agree to conduct an annual Client Satisfaction Survey.
