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In Home Respite

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In Home Medical Respite

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Medical Respite

What our families say about Medical Respite:

"We feel that it is a blessing to have a nurse come into our home and care for our special child. This is the only time that I have alone with my husband and we are so grateful to the Arc organization for their medical respite services."

"I do believe that medical respite is a Godsend. It is great!"

"Medical respite care means a great deal to us. Since our daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, we have been extremely pleased with the respite care program. The nurse that gives care to our daughter is extremely professional and caring. Our minds are at ease knowing that our daughter is under her care, and most importantly, our daughter loves her. Our respite nurse also provides excellent health care to our daughter and she is extremely reliable."

What are Medical Respite Services?

The Medical Respite Services program is designed to provide on site nursing services and respite relief to primary caregivers and families who care for their developmentally delayed or chronically ill family member at home. The Arc of Cumberland County provides this service to Cumberland County residents who meet these requirements. The goal of the program is to assist the family in maintaining the individual in the home setting by providing family members the opportunity to engage in personal social activities in their community while our staff provide in home medical care for their loved one. All of our staff are Licensed Practical Nurses.

Who is eligible for services?

Any individual who is diagnosed as being chronically ill or who has a medical condition which demonstrates a developmental delay is eligible for our services. Our program coordinator will make a formal assessment of the consumer’s medical requirements as well as the respite needs of the family members who routinely provide care to the consumer.

What services are provided?

Our Medical Respite Services staff will provide the following services and activities:

• Four to eight hours per week of in-home nursing respite care by a Licensed Practical Nurse
• Consumer health monitoring and physical assessments during all phases of the respite care
• Quarterly monitoring of our respite care nurses activities by a New Jersey board certified physician
• Routine health and hygiene training for the consumer and/or family caregiver

Is there a cost involved?

There is no fee for Medical Respite Services from the Arc of Cumberland County. All costs for the provision of the respite services provided by our licensed professional staff are paid for by a grant approved by the Cumberland County Human Services Advisory Council.

What is the first step?

Call the Arc of Cumberland County office at 691-9138 and inform the staff member answering your call that you want to make a referral to the Medical Respite Service program. Our program coordinator will contact you and set up an appointment in your home to explain our services and to meet with the family member involved. That's all it takes to get started!