Family Caregivers FAQ

Please refer to the the Respite Care 101 page.

There are 584,000 caregivers in the state of Colorado (AARP). Respite care, the most frequently requested family service, provides temporary relief from continuous care-giving of family members with disabilities or chronic conditions. It has been shown to provide caregivers with the relief to maintain their own health, bolster family stability, and delay more costly nursing home or foster care placements.

Respite care can be provided by a variety of organizations including not-for-profit organizations/agencies, for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and independents. Respite care workers may include volunteers, health care para-professionals, certified nursing assistants and registered nurses. Please read “National Respite Models” to identify a respite care model best suited for your family. Search our Online Resource Finder to find respite providers in your community.

No, CRC is a “resource and referral” coalition, we do not provide any direct care services. We can, however, assist you in locating a respite service in your area. Search the Online Resource Finder to find respite providers in your community.

Yes, the Colorado Respite Coalition awards Family Respite Vouchers to qualifying families as a payor of last resorts for respite care. Eligibility requirements include being a full time family caregiver (40 hours per week or more), living in the state of Colorado, not currently receiving financial assistance for respite, and providing care to a person with special needs. Voucher must be used with an Approved Provider within the approved period. Vouchers are a resource for unserved or underserved family caregivers who have limited access to respite or other supports through current systems.

Additionally, we award Community Grants to agencies that provide respite services in an effort to respond to the respite care needs of Colorado's family caregivers of individuals with special needs, chronic conditions, older adults, foster children and kinship relations (i.e. grandparent and grandchild). Inquire with your provider what scholarships or grants are available for funding respite.

We also work closely with several local and state agencies across Colorado and will be happy to work with you in making these connections. Contact 303.233.1666 x8 for more information. Click here to learn more about paying for respite.

Federal programs (like Medicaid and Medicare) that are managed at the state level have complex rules and eligibility requirements. Rules and regulations vary by state and often by county. In order to get the best guidance possible, contact your Medicaid Office or Department of Human Services. The CRC's Respite Care Navigation Guide is a resource to help family caregivers understand different funding streams, and how to access respite care. 

Caring for anyone with special needs is a hard job. Respite care can let you step away even for just a few hours. For more ideas on stress management strategies and self care, please visit our Self Care page.

If you feel that you need additional support, please do not ignore this feeling. Contact your local mental health center or emergency room for help.

Search the Online Resource Finder to find respite providers in your community. 

There are several reasons why families decline respite care. Some of the most common things said by families include: 

"I feel guilty"
"No one else can take care of my loved one"
"I can take care," "I should take care" or "it is my responsibility to take care"
"I don’t understand the meaning and benefits of respite care and don’t have time to gather this information"

Caring for yourself is an important part of caring for others, respite care can help!

Knowledge is power; visit the links below to find out more information on the ins and outs of respite care:

7 Tips for Hiring Good Care Providers — Tips from the National Parkinson's Foundation on hiring a quality care provider.

More Ways to Arrange Breaks from Caregiving— A list of formal and informal options for respite that you may consider.

The ABCs of Respite: A Consumer Guide for Family Caregivers (PDF) — Answers to many of your questions about respite care from the types of respite available to choosing a provider to how to pay for services. This information is from the ARCH National Respite Network.