Respite Care Services
What is respite care?
- Short-term, temporary care provided to an individual in their home or outside their home
- Designed to give the primary caregiver(s) a break from their care giving duties
- Respite may be just a few hours or several days in length depending on the plans of the caregiver
- Respite may be planned in advance or may be made available to assist in a crisis/emergency situation
Who is eligible?
The Developmental Disabilities Administration has two categories of eligibility:
- Full eligibility applies to an individual who has a developmental disability if they have a severe chronic disability caused by a "physical or mental condition" other than a sole diagnosis of mental illness that is manifested before the age of 22, that is likely to continue indefinitely and as a result the individual cannot live independently without continuing assistance and services that are individually planned and coordinated.
- Support service only eligibility applies to an individual who does not meet the definition of an individual with a developmental disability may be eligible for "Individual Support Services". The individual must have a "severe, chronic disability", which is caused by a physical or mental condition other than a sole diagnosis of mental illness and is likely to continue indefinitely.
Where is respite care provided?
Individuals who have full eligibility may receive respite in any of the settings listed below. Individuals who are eligible for support services only may receive respite in their home or in a home in the community operated by a provider.
- the individual's home
- a home in the community which is operated by a private provider
- a State Residential Center (SRC).
Maryland's SRC's are:
- Brandenburg Center - Cumberland
- Holly Center - Salisbury
- Potomac Center - Hagerstown
- The SETT Unit - Sykesville and Jessup
In order to provide a medically and socially appropriate respite situation, some private providers and SRC's may not be equipped to meet an individual's needs. Each application will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Every effort will be made to honor the individual's choice of respite setting and the dates for which respite care is requested.
What is the length of respite care services?
- respite care may not exceed 45 days within any one fiscal year or 28 consecutive days
How can individuals obtain additional information on respite care services provided through the Developmental Disabilities Administration?
- by contacting the individual's Resource Coordinator (if one has been assigned)
- by contacting the Developmental Disabilities Administration's Regional Office
You may request for more information by sending an email to .
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