Special Needs Respite Care Guide: Cost of Care

Whether you hire a qualified individual or utilize a respite care center, one of the main issues you'll face is the cost of care. Factors such as geographical location, special needs requirements and the ability to be flexible will all play a part in determining costs.  While insurance specifics and general rates will vary widely, the following tips can help you better understand the factors that impact cost:

Geographical Location

• Are there colleges or universities nearby that offer undergraduate or graduate programs in special education, nursing, physiology, teaching, etc? If so, you'll probably have more qualified respite care applicants in your surrounding area and that could mean lower rates for you.
• Do you live in a major metro or rural area? In major metro areas, the cost of care tends to be higher than in smaller suburban or rural towns. However, if you live in a very rural or remote area, respite care costs may actually be higher due to travel time and a smaller pool of qualified caregivers.

Your Needs and Caregiver's Skills and Experience

• If your child has a severe disability or special need that requires caregivers to have specific training or knowledge, it may be more costly to find and pay for appropriate respite care. Anytime you need a specialist or a highly trained caregiver your rates will be higher. This isn't necessarily a bad thing -- you're paying for peace of mind, knowing your caregiver has the specific skills and/or certifications you need.
• Respite care center directors who feel they have to assign additional caregivers to your child may charge you more than they do other parents for the simple reason that more resources are going towards your child's care. This is something to discuss with the director during the interview or enrollment process -- it shouldn't come as a surprise.

Flexibility of Schedule

• Can you be flexible about the time and days you need care or do you have very specific hours in mind (perhaps due to your own work schedule)? Being flexible usually means that you'll have more options for finding the best rates for the care you need.
• Overnight caregivers are often more expensive than caregivers who work for you during the day.

Type of Insurance/Ability to Pay for Pvate Care

• If your insurance policy already includes a provision for respite care you may be in luck but you'll have to read the fine print to find out how many days of respite care is covered.
• Contact community groups and your state government to find out if you and/or your child qualify for no-cost or low-cost respite care. Many states provide funding for a specific amount of hours of respite care a year for families of children with special needs. This varies widely by state and, at the moment, there is no legislation in place to enforce a uniform reimbursement policy from state to state.

  Lisa Tabachnick Hotta writes about parenting, health, and social issues.