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Older Adult Respite Program (OARS)

In-home respite services through the OARS program have been provided for nine years.  Services are provided to care givers of the medically frail.  The program was created to help fill the gaps created by Medicare cuts to home health care agencies.  The need was identified by requests from care givers who needed some relief from the 24-hour care of their loved one (sometimes the loved one is over 60, other times the care giver is over 60 while the loved one is under 60). The OARS program continues to maintain individuals in their homes for as long as possible by providing supportive care for clients and their caregivers. 

There are three different types of services offered through the OARS program.

For those who need skilled respite assistance, care givers are offered up to 24 hours of respite assistance per month. Additional hours requested are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  COA contracts with Newaygo County home health care agencies to provide these services.  The program is unique in that the care givers can obtain service from any one of the home health care agencies with which we contract.  A referral may be made from a physician, a care giver, a COA case worker, or a home health care agency.  An assessment of need is submitted to the program coordinator to determine eligibility.  Upon approval, the referring party is notified and the care giver and service provider schedule hours of service according to the identified needs.  Home health agencies utilize certified home health care companions to provide the respite services.

For those who do not need skilled care, we have volunteers who go into the homes for up to 10 hours per week per client.  The volunteers visit with the clients while the care givers take time for themselves or take time to attend to matters such as grocery shopping and doctor appointments. 

Overnight respite services through COA have been provided for eight years.  COA has working agreements with specific residential facilities to provide up to 72 hours (three days) of respite service per year per care giver/receiver.  Requests for more than three days are considered on an individual basis and may be granted if funding is available and if the circumstances warrant additional days.  Requests may be made to the COA respite coordinator by care givers, physicians, home health workers, mental health workers, or FIA Adult Protective Services workers.  The coordinator contacts the residential facilities to confirm bed availability and to provide basic admission information.  Provisions are made for emergency admissions, with the coordinator’s home phone number available to agency personnel who may need it. 

For respite services there is a suggested donation of $1.50 per hour of service provided.  However, no one will be refused respite services due to the inability to donate.