Become A Respite Provider
Overview
Respite providers offer support and assistance to a primary caregiver by providing short-term care to individuals who are unable to care for themselves because of a disability, illness, or aging. Short-term assistance allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving duties and attend to their own needs. Respite providers play a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing of both the caregiver and the care recipient, and their services can greatly improve the quality of life for all involved.
Respite providers engage in services ranging from basic assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, to more specialized care such as medication management, nursing care, and therapeutic services. Respite providers work as full-time professionals, part-time employees, and volunteers.
There is currently a shortage of respite care providers in the state of Colorado, which can make it difficult for families and caregivers to find local respite care services – especially in rural areas. By becoming a respite provider, you can provide important services to individuals and families.
How do I become a respite provider in Colorado?
Colorado does not require a formal respite provider certification or endorsement. Most respite care professionals either work for an agency or as an independent provider.
Working for a Respite Agency
There are many types of agencies offering various kinds of respite care services, though most agencies restrict their care parameters to certain ages, needs, or types of respite care. Individuals interested in working with clients of a particular age or special health care need, or seeking work in a particular setting, should search for agencies that reflect these interests.
Agencies offer diverse salaries and benefits packages, and have various internal standards, policies and training requirements. Individuals looking for employment in the respite industry should identify a few agencies of interest, and compare between.
Use our Online Resource Finder to find respite care providers across Colorado.
If you are considering working for a respite agency, you will want to determine whether the organization is a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA). PASAs are respite provider agencies that provide services that are reimbursable by Medicaid, which helps determine the clientele of the agency. Non-PASA agencies can still provide a full range of respite care services but must take clients who are able to pay privately or have some other scholarship funding. Learn more about PASA certification from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and see a complete list of all PASAs in the state of Colorado.
Working as an Independent Provider
Independent providers work for themselves and can choose who they work with, which ages and needs they would like to specialize in, and what type of respite they would like to provide.
Independent providers retain flexibility, can decide their own hours, and set their own rates, however they do not have the supports offered by larger respite agencies, such as access to training, liability coverage, organized payroll, health insurance and other benefits. Independent providers must network to secure their own clients.
We have opportunities for support for independent respite providers. Contact us if you are looking for assistance!
Volunteer as a Respite Provider
You may also be interested in providing respite care as a volunteer. Prospective volunteers should reach out to respite care provider organizations to inquire whether they are in need of volunteer support. Nonprofit, community, and faith-based respite organizations, in particular, often greatly appreciate volunteer service. Use our online resource finder to search for respite agencies in your area.
