A.Definition and PurposeRespite care is providing temporary relief time for the regular or primary caregiver (spouse, child, relative) of an ill, frail, infirm, functionally impaired older individual or dementia patient who requires constant in-home care.
The purpose of respite care is to:
1. Prevent, delay, or avoid premature or unnecessary institutionalization;3. Prevent or reduce physical and emotional stress on the family;4. Give primary caregivers some much needed personal time from the caregiver's role;5. Prevent caregiver's burnout; and,6. Give the caregiver an interval of rest from the burden of constant caregiving.B.EligibilityPersons 60 and older with a Level II score of 22 or above on the screening instruments are eligible for Respite Services.
C.Unit of Service:One (1) unit of service equals one (1) hour of relief to the caregiver.
D.Minimum Program Requirements:Each service provider of Respite funded by Title III of the Older Americans Act, SSBG or other funds, through an Area Plan must comply with the Minimum Program Requirements developed by the Division of Aging and Adult Services.
* All clients are to be entered into the State Approved Client Tracking System no later than 10 working days.
1.Service Activitiesa. The Respite Care worker must provide one (1) or more of the following primary activities: feeding, personal care needs, companionship, support or general supervision.b. Respite Care is provided by placing a respite worker in the client's or caregiver's home; or the client can attend a local senior center or adult day care center.2.Location of ServiceRespite services are provided in the client's or caregiver's home or a local senior center. Institutional Respite is provided by one of the following:
a. DAAS approved adult day care center;b. Licensed board and care home;e. Trained Respite Care Worker.3.Access to ServiceThe client may enter the service system at any point through an appropriate referral.
4.Delivery Characteristicsa. Each client shall have a client record to include: 1) Screening/intake instrument;2) Client assessment instrument;3) Documentation of services provided, date and time, and name of respite worker providing the service;4) A plan of care, if applicable;5) Authorization releases, where appropriate;6) Health and medical information;7) Referral form, if applicable;8) Notice of termination of service, if applicable; and,9) Confidentiality Agreement form.b. Respite services may be available day or night, seven (7) days a week, including holidays.c. Respite care at a local senior center shall be provided during the center's hours of operation and the client must meet the requirements established by the senior center.d. Institutional respite care at DAAS approved adult day care centers shall be provided during center's hours of operation and the client must meet the requirements established by the center.e. Institutional respite at licensed nursing home, licensed board and care or hospital shall be provided 24 hours a day.f. If respite service is provided at any location other than the client's home, the client must meet the requirements established by the licensed facility and the licensed facility must meet the licensing requirements of the Mississippi state department of Health.g. The client shall be allowed the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the service.5.Staffinga. There shall be a professional person responsible for the day-to-day operation of the service.b. There must be an adequate number of staff to meet the goals of the program.c. All Respite staff must have training in first aid, CPR and the Heimlich Technique prior to being one-on-one with a client.d. The respite worker should: 1) Have past experience in caring for someone who is ill, disabled and elderly;2) Have the ability to communicate with clients with speech impairment; (No formal training is needed to detect a speech problem);3) Be competent, patient, trustworthy and cooperative;4) Be able to maintain confidentiality;5) Have reliable transportation;6) Be flexible for day or night relief; and,7) Be emotionally and physically capable to care for persons who have physical and/or mental limitations.e. In-service training is required of all staff and the responsibility of the sponsoring agency. Training should consist of: 2) Elderly abuse detection and prevention;7) The Aging process; and8) Orientation to the Respite Program (policies and procedures). 6.Prohibited Service ActivitiesThe following activities are prohibited by the Respite Worker:
b. Consumption of clients' food or drink;c. Use of clients' telephones for any reason other than an emergency or respite related activities;d. Discussion of own personal problems, religious, or political beliefs with clients;e. Breach of clients' confidentiality;f. Acceptance of gifts or tips;g. Friends or relatives of respite worker brought to clients' homes;h. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in client's home or consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to or during service delivery to clients;i. Smoking in clients' homes;j. Solicitation of money or goods from clients;k. The respite worker may choose to eat their own lunch in clients' home if authorized to do so by the clients;l. The respite worker may use the clients' bathroom facilities;p. Administering medication. (The respite worker can remind the client to take medicine and assist client by passing to client the medicine to be taken). Older Americans Act of 1965, As Amended 2006 ( Public Law 109-365 ), Section 373(e) (1)