New Jersey § 30:4f-7

§ 30:4f-7.

The Legislature finds that there is a clear need to establish a program of respite

care to assist families in the care of their elderly and functionally impaired family

members. Most functionally impaired adults prefer to be cared for in their homes by family

and friends whom they trust and feel comfortable with, and where they can continue

to make valuable contributions to family life. Nearly all of the care provided to functionally impaired adults is given by family

members who are not compensated for their services. They provide full-time care, often with little help from other family members or

the community. This family involvement is a critical element in enabling persons who otherwise

might be institutionalized to remain in their own home environment. Without relief and support, however, caregivers may become unable to continue in

the caregiving role. The consequence may be unavoidable and irreversible institutionalization of the

dependent adult and an added burden on public funds. The Legislature further finds that there is a compelling need to support caregivers

of functionally impaired adults in their efforts to keep the family intact. Providing respite and related services is a major mechanism for this support. Respite serves to relieve some of the daily stresses of caregiving, to improve the

quality of life for functionally impaired adults and their caregivers, to maintain

the integrity of the family unit, to strengthen personal and social support systems

and to deter institutionalization. The Legislature, therefore, declares that it is the policy of the State to provide

a structure for the establishment of respite services which will provide relief and

support to family or other unpaid caregivers from the demands of daily care of frail

elderly or other functionally impaired adult family members; to encourage families

to provide care for functionally impaired dependents at home, and thus offer an alternative

to long-term institutional placement; to expand the continuum of supportive services

for the functionally impaired and their families; to ensure that respite care and

related supportive services are made available on a sliding fee basis to eligible

persons not covered under other programs; and to assist families in securing the

respite services, including information and peer support, which are necessary for

their continued care of a functionally impaired family member.