National Family Caregivers Month: Understanding Respite Care Options for Virginia Families
November marks National Family Caregivers Month.
An observance established in 1994 by the Caregiver Action Network to recognize the estimated 53 million Americans who provide unpaid care to family members with chronic conditions, disabilities, or illnesses.
For families supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Virginia, this month serves as an important reminder to assess available respite resources and caregiver support systems.
The demands of caregiving are well-documented.
According to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, caregivers experience depression at rates of 25.6% compared to 18.6% among non-caregivers.
Additional studies indicate that 40% to 70% of family caregivers show clinically significant symptoms of depression, with many reporting negative impacts on their physical health, employment, and financial stability.
For families in Virginia’s IDD community, understanding and accessing respite care is not a luxury—it’s a critical component of sustainable caregiving.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care provides temporary relief to primary caregivers through short-term, substitute care for individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living, health monitoring, or behavioral support.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services defines respite as care that “enables an individual to maintain the health status and functional skills necessary to live in the community or participate in community activities.”
Respite can be provided in multiple settings:
- In-home care where services are delivered in the family’s residence
- Community-based settings such as recreational programs or day centers
- Center-based respite facilities licensed by the Virginia Department of Health
Virginia DD Waiver Respite Services
Families whose loved ones are enrolled in one of Virginia’s three Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers – the Family and Individual Support (FIS) Waiver, Building Independence (BI) Waiver, or Community Living (CL) Waiver – have access to funded respite services.
Key details about DD Waiver respite:
- Service model options: Families can choose between agency-directed respite (where a licensed provider employs and supervises staff) or consumer-directed respite (where the family hires and manages their own respite provider)
- Annual limits: Respite services are limited to 480 hours per state fiscal year across all service models
- Eligibility criteria: The individual must demonstrate a need for assistance with ADLs, community access, medication management, or health monitoring, and the family must express need for relief from caregiving duties
- Provider requirements: Consumer-directed respite providers must be at least 18 years old, cannot reside in the same home, and must pass criminal background checks
To access DD Waiver respite services, families should work directly with their assigned support coordinator to document the need in their plan for supports and arrange services.
Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
For families not enrolled in a DD Waiver or those needing supplemental respite support, the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services provides reimbursement for respite care costs.
Program highlights:
- Reimbursement amounts: Up to $595 per household per year for temporary, short-term respite care
- Eligibility: Virginia residents caring for individuals of any age with a documented disability or medical condition
- Participant-directed: Families are responsible for selecting, hiring, training, and paying their respite provider; VLRVP reimburses costs after services are provided
- Provider requirements: Respite providers must be at least 18 years old, cannot currently live in the home, and families negotiate the rate of pay (maximum $20/hour for individuals, $30/hour for agencies)
- Important limitation: Program funds cannot replace current funding sources or be used to allow caregivers to work
For kinship caregivers: Grandparents or other blood relatives with custody of minor children can access up to $595 annually for childcare or recreational camp costs through the VLRVP kinship-specific program.
Applications and additional information are available through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Additional Virginia Respite Resources
Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
Virginia’s network of 25 Area Agencies on Aging provides information, referral, and coordination services for caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Contact your local AAA to learn about community-based respite programs, support groups, and caregiver education.
ARCH National Respite Network
The ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center maintains a National Respite Locator service to help families identify respite and crisis care services in their communities. While ARCH does not provide respite directly, they offer guidance on finding and funding respite care.
Community Services Boards (CSBs)
Virginia’s 40 Community Services Boards serve as the local access point for DD Waiver applications and provide case management services. Some CSBs also operate direct respite programs. Contact your local CSB to inquire about available services and sliding-scale fee options for families without waiver funding.
Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations
Many churches, synagogues, and community organizations throughout Virginia offer volunteer respite programs or respite retreats for families of individuals with special needs. These programs vary by locality but can provide valuable short-term relief at low or no cost.
Practical Strategies for Accessing Respite
- Document your need clearly
When working with support coordinators or applying for programs, be specific about:
- The number of hours per week you provide direct care
- Tasks you perform (ADL assistance, medication management, behavioral support, transportation)
- Impact on your health, employment, or family relationships
- What respite would allow you to accomplish (medical appointments, work obligations, rest)
- Plan ahead for respite utilization
Respite is most effective when used proactively rather than in crisis. Consider scheduling regular respite (weekly or bi-weekly) rather than waiting until burnout occurs. Create a respite calendar at the beginning of each quarter.
- Build a respite provider network
Whether using consumer-directed services or hiring privately:
- Interview multiple candidates and check references
- Provide thorough training on your loved one’s specific needs, communication methods, and behavioral support strategies
- Create written care instructions and emergency protocols
- Start with short respite periods to build trust and familiarity
- Coordinate with other family members
If multiple family members provide care, establish a shared respite schedule. Consider pooling waiver hours or alternating responsibility for arranging respite coverage.
- Use respite strategically
Maximize the benefit of respite by:
- Attending your own medical appointments
- Engaging in physical activity or stress-reduction practices
- Connecting with other caregivers through support groups
- Completing necessary administrative tasks without interruption
- Simply resting
When Respite Isn’t Enough: Additional Caregiver Support
While respite provides temporary relief, some caregivers require more comprehensive support. Warning signs that additional intervention may be needed include:
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness, anger, or resentment toward the care recipient
- Neglect of your own health care needs
- Withdrawal from social connections
- Substance use as a coping mechanism
- Thoughts of self-harm
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Virginia: 1-888-486-8264
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Your primary care physician for a caregiver health assessment
The Virginia Caregiver Coalition provides educational resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy support for family caregivers across disability and aging communities.
Moving Forward
National Family Caregivers Month serves as a prompt to evaluate whether your family is utilizing all available respite resources. Sustainable caregiving requires systematic support – not just individual resilience.
For families enrolled in DD Waivers, schedule a conversation with your support coordinator this month to review your current respite allocation and utilization patterns.
For families without waiver services, explore the VLRVP application process and connect with your local CSB about available programming.
Caregiving is demanding work.
Accessing respite is not a failure of commitment, it’s a recognition that quality care for your loved one depends on your own wellbeing.
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