Respite services may be provided in several different places depending on the needs of your family member who has mental retardation and your family. You may want to have someone come into your home to provide respite, or your family member may receive respite at the home of a friend, relative, neighbor, or in the home of a trained respite provider. In some areas of the state, there are respite homes where your family member can stay for part of a day, overnight, or for a longer period of time. Sometimes families have respite while their family member attends local recreation services or camp. Occasionally, space is available in a group home or community living arrangement, or in a DMR regional center.
Many families make their own arrangements for respite and build the cost into the family budget.
Families who are not able to do this or who have more frequent respite needs may ask DMR for financial assistance to help pay for the respite they need. Respite services may be billed on a sliding scale fee based on the financial situation of your family or your family member who has mental retardation. If you would like assistance in arranging respite, you may contact your DMR case manager who is familiar with the respite services in your community and may refer you to a respite provider or organization that offers respite services, or to a DMR respite location. Recreation includes many different activities from physical fitness to socialization, playing, and generally having fun. Many people with mental retardation use public recreational facilities and join local clubs just as other people do, but may require some extra support to participate in the recreational activities offered in your town.