Self-Directed Caregiver Respite Pilot Program Expansion

The Regional Respite Caregiver Working Group is pleased to announce the regional expansion of the Self-Directed Caregiver Respite Pilot Program. First trialled in November 2020 by The Friends, the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts, Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District, and the Alzheimer Society of Timmins-Porcupine District, this pilot program served to provide caregivers with their own funding resources.

The pilot targeted participants who resided in rural communities and had limited or no access to traditional HSP respite services. These individuals were granted a monthly allocation that could pay for unconventional respite services, for example, having a caregiver’s neighbour spend time playing cards with the client.
 

Based on the success of the initial pilot, the program will be offered to eligible caregivers within the Northeast, starting on October 3rd, 2022. Eligible caregivers may receive up to $1200 per fiscal year to direct their own flexible respite services with a provider of their choosing (e.g., Friends, Family, private Health Service Partners).

Referrals for the program will be received by the Home and Community Support Innovation Centre through the North East Community Support Services Network. Following a vetting process, the referral will be forwarded to one of four Caregiver Respite providers based on the client’s location. These four organizations will be responsible for the eligibility determination, care coordination, administration, and facilitation of the pilot.
 

Full information on the pilot program will be available through the Innovation Portal, which will include Standard Operational Guidelines, Process Maps, Standard Works, and a brief training module.

 The link for this information can be found by clicking here.