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                             RESPITE CARE

     Respite care generally refers to any assistance that gives relief to
a primary caregiver.  Spouses and daughters will often push themselves to
their physical and emotional limit before they seek help.  Home care, adult
day care and even a short stay in a nursing home can help.  Caregivers
need to protect their own health.  For more information, call:

     
                        Respite Care Services
                        83 Stuart St
                        Providence RI 02903.
                        401-421-7886
  

     Respite Care Services operates two respite programs.  The first
program offers home health aide service at home, or an overnight stay at
a nursing home for people over the age 60 who live with a primary
caregiver, need assistance, and whose annual income does not exceed
$20,000 if single or $25,000 if married.  The program will pay for 50% of
the cost of home health aide service from a licensed provider.  Presently,
this is $6.50 per hour based on a total cost of $13.00 per hour during the
day, and $7.50 at night and on weekends.  Respite will also pay 75% of the
daily rate for a nursing home up to $100 for overnight care.  The program
will contribute up to $500 per year for care.  The limit is $1500 per year
for people with Alzheimer's Disease.   

     The program's original design was to allow a caregiver to get away for
a day or even overnight several times a year.  Unfortunately, because of a
shortage of regular assistance from other programs, people often use this
program in dribs and drabs in order to manage day to day.

     The second program offers respite workers for people age 60 and older
whose income is within the RIPAE guidelines.  The respite workers are
recruited, trained  and matched to the needs of the client.  The client
pays a recommended fee of $6.00 per hour directly to the worker.