AUGUSTA — Spectrum Generations’ Caregiver Respite Program has funds available. Although there are many rewards in caring for a friend or family member with dementia, family caregivers can become stressed and exhausted over time. Respite, the opportunity to take a break, is vital to caregiver well-being.

The Caregiver Respite Program supports family caregivers by helping to cover the cost for someone else to provide care for the person with dementia. This may take place in the home, at an adult day-care program or overnight in a facility (on a limited basis). The care may be provided by a family member, friend or neighbor, someone from a homecare agency or an adult day program. The respite program allows caregivers the opportunity to take some time for themselves to re-energize, do something for fun or get necessary errands done.

The Caregiver Respite Program can reimburse up to $3,040 a year (which is 80 percent of a total annual cap of $3,800) of what it costs to have someone come into the home a few hours a week, or several hours of adult day care per week. It also can help with the cost of up to two full weeks of overnight continual care in an assisted living or nursing facility. Furthermore, up to $2,000 (lifetime) can be used to help cover the cost of home modifications needed to promote independent living.

In order to qualify for the Caregiver Respite Program, there must be a written diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or related memory disorder from a physician, liquid assets cannot exceed $50,000 for one person or $75,000 for a couple, and there must not be any assistance from any other state subsidized programs.

For more information, or to apply, contact the Family Caregiver Program at Spectrum Generations at 800-639-1553.

Spectrum Generations is the central Maine Area Agency on Aging as well as a federally designated Aging and Disability Resource Center. It serves older and disabled adults — plus those who care for them — Its service area covers the six central Maine counties of Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo, plus the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County. The agency bridges the gap between traditional medical services and home and community. These services allows people to age in place, in their own homes and communities, while maintaining independent, healthy, vital and dignified lives.

The public is invited to call the Agency’s Consumer Helpline at 1-800-639-1553. For more information about Spectrum Generations visit spectrumgenerations.org.

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