The Statewide Respite Care Program Offers Relief for Caregivers
The Statewide Respite Care Program offers relief to caregivers who, for many reasons, may need some time away from their caregiving chores. I recently met with JoAnn Leeds, BSN, RN, who is the Program Coordinator of the program in Hunterdon County to discuss this program, and how it could benefit the many unpaid family caregivers in Hunterdon County and elsewhere in the state.
Providing care to the elderly, disabled, or frail is an important and stressful job. But to be effective, unpaid caregivers need to take care of themselves too. Sometimes that means visiting a doctor for themselves, taking a vacation, or completing errands without having to worry about their other responsibilities. Sometimes caregivers just need a break from their routine.
The Statewide Respite Care Program
The Statewide Respite Care Program for Hunterdon County residents offers relief to unpaid caregivers with the hope of improving lives. “The program is designed to give short-term, intermittent relief“, said JoAnn Leeds. She coordinates the program for Visiting Health and Supportive Services, which is part of the Hunterdon Healthcare System the corporate parent of Hunterdon Medical Center.
Services Provided by the Respite Care Program
“For example, if you are having surgery or become injured and can’t provide regular care, this program may be able to arrange home care, adult daycare, or inpatient care at an assisted living facility.” These services would replace a task or period of time that a caregiver would otherwise be providing services. The program provides respite care services for elderly and functionally impaired persons ages 18 and older to relieve their caregivers of the stress arising from the responsibility of providing full-time daily care.
Respite Care Program’s Goal is to Provide Support to Families
A secondary goal of the program is to provide the support necessary to help families avoid nursing home placement for their relatives. Services available under this program include:
- Companions
- Homemaker/home health aides
- Medical or social adult daycare
- Care in skilled nurse or assisted living facility
Financial guidelines apply for the person needing the care; a co-pay may apply. For more information, call JoAnn Leeds at 908-788-2568 or send her an email at [email protected].
Portions of the content of this article came from TAPinto Flemington. Used with permission.
Robert J. Shanahan, Jr. Esq. focuses his practice on estate planning, elder law, and probate matters. Mr. Shanahan additionally practices in business law and non-profit matters. He is a trained, experienced mediator and offers dispute resolution services, particularly for those arising from probate and elder law matters. Additionally, Mr. Shanahan’s firm, Law Offices of Robert J. Shanahan, Jr., LLC, offers a breadth of additional services to families and businesses throughout central New Jersey.
Mr. Shanahan received his Juris Doctor from the Temple University School of Law in 1985 and obtained licensure in New Jersey in the same year. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1981 from William Paterson University, with honors. Robert is a member and Past President of the Hunterdon County Bar Association and is a member of its Elder Law Committee. He is also active in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a member of the Hunterdon Medical Center’s Bio-Ethics Committee. He is pro bono counsel for Volunteer Guardianship One on One, in Flemington, New Jersey.
You may contact Bob at (908)751-1551, or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.legalcounselnj.com
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