Family Caregiver Respite Voucher Program
The South Carolina Chapter provides short-term respite--time away from caregiving responsibility--for full-time family caregivers. A voucher for up to $500 worth of care is available each year. This program is possible thanks to a grant through the SC Department of Mental Health.
The Family Caregiver Respite Voucher Program is designed to provide relief to caregivers to lessen the physical, emotional and financial burdens associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Fulltime caregivers provide 24 hour a day care for their loved ones often without taking a break. As a result, the caregiver’s own physical and emotional health often suffers. Evidence suggests that elderly spousal caregivers who experience caregiver stress have a mortality rate 63% higher than average. High caregiver stress leads to the increased need to seek long-term care placement for the individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
With a respite voucher, family members are able to arrange care through approved home care agencies, adult day care, or temporary placement in a long term care facility. The approved agency or facility will bill the association for up to $500 worth of services. The respite program is not designed to pay for services on a long term basis and may not be applied retroactively. The voucher may not be used for private sitters.
Voucher renewals are now available. To apply for a renewal, the family caregiver must complete the renewal form and return it by mail. This form requires a signature of the family member requesting a renewal and the management of the respite agency. The renewal cannot be issued until we have been invoiced for the service dates of the first voucher issued.
Caregivers are encouraged to begin using the respite voucher as soon as possible upon receipt. Each voucher expires six months from the date of issue, and remaining funds cannot be redeemed once a voucher's expiration date has passed. Caregivers can apply for a renewal once they have spent their voucher. Renewals are issued as funds are available.
How to Apply
Application materials in PDF form are available to download and print below. The completed application form and completed doctor's statement must be sent together by mail. Please do not attempt to submit any part of the application via fax, as it will not be accepted.
If you keep these materials on file, please make sure they are up-to-date. Thank you!
Download respite application packet.
Download renewal form.
To receive an application packet by mail, please contact the Alzheimer's Association office nearest you.
Assistance To Attend Support Group Meetings and Other Events
If a no-cost, in-home patient sitter is needed so that the caregiver can attend a monthly support group meeting, education program or Alzheimer's Association event such as Memory Walk, respite assistance is available. Payment for support group in-home sitters does not have to be used out of the $500 respite voucher but is available monthly. Sitters during support group must be arranged with a home care agency several days prior to the meeting. Again, call the Alzheimer's Association office nearest you for more information.
