HJAR Sep/Oct 2023

48 SEP / OCT 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID RESPITE CARE: What Is It, and Why Is It Important? COLUMN MEDICAID The Arkansas Department of Human Services needs your help in letting patients and even your own staff know about an important set of programs we offer. Our Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance (DPSQA) has partnered with the Arkansas Lifespan Respite Coalition to offer vital assistance for respite care. WHAT is respite care? Full-time caregiv- ing is an around-the-clock job. Caregivers are often managing caring for a loved one with work, other family responsibilities, their own health, home upkeep, and more. Some of your patients, or even members of your own staff, may be in this situation right now. Respite care is care designed to give live-in caregivers a short-term break. Whether this break involves hours or weeks, respite care can help caregivers attend appointments, run errands, work outside their home, or simply take some time to relax and recharge. We want caregivers to know that there is help, and that it’s perfectly OK to ask for a break and care for themselves so they can continue to care for their loved ones. These respite services are not dependent upon Medicaid or financial eligibility. If a caregiver is unable to receive Medicaid or is not eligible to receive other assistance ser- vices, he or she can qualify for respite help. Even those families who are on service pro- grams or Medicaid can still apply for and re- ceive additional support through this grant. Lifespan respite is available to any caregiver, regardless of the age or diagnosis of their care recipient.