Respite
Important: Due to home care staffing shortages, the respite program is currently experiencing delays in service. We'll do our best to assist you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
The Jack Norton Caregiver Respite Program is a program for family caregivers.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions
What is Respite?
Being a family caregiver, while a fulfilling role, can consume a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional energy. Consequently, respite is very important because it gives family caregivers of persons with ALS an opportunity to create a plan of care for themselves; something a caregiver often overlooks. Respite simply means an interval of rest or relief. Respite gives you, the family caregiver, an opportunity to take a much-needed break from the daily care that you provide for your loved one. There are a number of ways you can spend your "time off" during your respite.
Here are just a few examples:
- Go to the movies
- Read a book or take a nap
- Treat yourself to lunch at a restaurant with a friend
- Take a walk
- Get your hair cut
- Attend a caregiver support group
Program Details
- The ALS Association will reimburse an agency in our partner network to provide a professional caregiver once a week, up to 18 hours each month.
- Respite is to be used during times when you are not at work, but instead during times when you would normally be caring for your loved one with ALS (i.e. before/after work, weekends).
- Paid respite caregivers may not be family members.
- Respite is available in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
The Process
- Once we receive your completed application, we will contact you to review the program and answer any questions you may have.
- We will send the application to one of our partner agencies.
- A respite agency representative will contact you to schedule a visit to assess the level of care needed for your loved one.
- The agency will then work with you to establish a schedule that works for you.
Questions? If you have questions or wish to provide feedback about the Jack Norton Family Respite program, please contact: [email protected] or call the Chapter office at 612/888-672-0484.