AUGUSTA — Spectrum Generations has announced Caregiver Respite program funds are available.

Although there are many rewards in caring for a friend or family member with dementia, family caregivers can become stressed and exhausted over time. Respite, the opportunity to take a break, is vital to caregiver well-being.

The Caregiver Respite program supports family caregivers by helping to cover the cost for someone else to provide care for the person with dementia. This may take place in the home, at an adult day-care program, or overnight in a facility (on a limited basis). The care may be provided by a family member, friend, or neighbor, someone from a home care agency or an adult day program. The respite program allows caregivers the opportunity to take some time for themselves to re-energize, do something for fun, or get necessary errands done.

The Caregiver Respite program can reimburse up to $3,040 a year (which is 80 percent of a total annual cap of $3,800) of what it costs to have someone come into the home a few hours a week, or several hours of adult day-care per week. It can also help with the cost of up to two full weeks of overnight continual care in an assisted living or nursing facility. Furthermore, up to $2,000 (lifetime) can be used to help cover the cost of home modifications needed to promote independent living.

In order to qualify for the Caregiver Respite program, there must be a written diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or a related memory disorder from a physician, liquid assets cannot exceed $50,000 for one person or $75,000 for a couple and there must not be any assistance from any other state subsidized programs.

FMI, apply: 1-800-639-1553.