Program Description
Vermont’s Dementia Respite Care Grants offer assistance to state residents that have Alzheimer’s or related dementias (Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and FTD). Specifically, these grants are provided to allow the stricken individual’s primary caregivers relief or respite from their caregiving responsibilities, as well as to prevent nursing home placement of the care recipient. Financial assistance can be used towards hiring home care workers or be put towards the cost of adult day care.
This program is from the state of Vermont and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL). It is administered locally by the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) network.
Caregiver Tip – Persons with Alzheimer’s lose their short-term memory before losing the ability to read. When leaving the home, use notes to remind loved ones of where you are and when you’ll be back. Remember to collect the notes upon returning.
Eligibility Guidelines
To be eligible for the Dementia Respite Program in 2019, the individual in need of care must:
- Be a Vermont resident.
- Be living at home (not in skilled nursing or in a residential memory care community).
- Be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Frontotemporal dementia, or another irreversible and progressive memory disorder.
- Have monthly income not exceeding $3,035 if the applicant is single (approximately $36,420 / year). If married, the monthly income limit is set at $4,115 (approximately $49,380 / year).
- Not be eligible for or receiving services under the state’s Choices for Care, which was adopted by Global Commitment to Health, Veterans Independence, Attendant Services, or National Family Caregiver respite programs.
This program is afforded limited funding, and therefore, eligible candidates may be subject to prioritization. Those persons who are most likely to require institutionalization if they do not receive assistance are given the highest priority.
Did You Know? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in Vermont, over 13,000 adults aged 65 years and older are estimated to have Alzheimer’s Disease. This number is expected to increase to approximately 17,000 by the year 2025.
Benefits and Services
The maximum grant value per year can change. The latest published information, available as of 2019, sets the maximum at $750. Please note, this figure may change towards the end of the grant year, which is June 30th. Grants can be applied towards home care (companionship, personal care, and homemaker), adult day care, or overnight respite care. Invoices for services must be provided in order to receive reimbursement.
How to Apply / Learn More
This program is available statewide. Click here to find your local AAA and begin the application process.
More information is available on the program’s official webpage.
