Frequently Asked Questions About Respite

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:  going on vacation, running errands, taking time to read a book or go to the movies, and visiting with family and 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, a child or day care center, a day program, a camp setting, or a residential facility.

3.  Who provides respite care?

Respite can be provided by someone the caregiver trusts, i.e. a friend, a neighbor, an adult child, etc. 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.  

Click this link:  http://www.delawareadrc.com/  At this time, Delaware does not support a database of individual respite providers. 

4.  Can I get financial assistance to help fund respite care?

Yes, you can. We help families fund respite through our respite voucher program. We have three Easterseals respite programs at this time:

• Child and Adolescent Caregiver Respite: supports families raising children under 18 years of age who have a qualifying behavioral or mental health issue, learning disability, or developmental disability
• Lifespan Respite: provides grants to caregivers caring for a loved one of any age with a special need, disability, or aging condition who meets the eligibility requirements
• Relative Respite: helps grandparents and other non-parent relatives 55 or older 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 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

7.  Are there other sources of financial assistance available to help me afford respite care?

There may be. Each respite applicant is contacted by one of our Case Managers, whether they are approved for funding or not. However, you may contact our Case Managers, even if you choose not to apply for respite funding, by email at  resources@esdel.org or in our New Castle office at 302-221-2076 or our Georgetown office at 302-253-1129.