Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is both a rewarding and challenging responsibility. As the number of people living with these conditions continues to rise, the demands on their caregivers have grown significantly. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provide an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias.

Recognizing the need for support, the Kansas Respite for Alzheimer's and Dementia (K-RAD) program was developed to provide temporary relief to unpaid caregivers who care for individuals with a probable diagnosis of these conditions. K-RAD is a resource for family caregivers who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems.

Respite care is defined as services that offer temporary, substitute supports or living arrangements for care recipients to provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers. Respite care includes: in-home respite (personal care, homemaker, and other in-home respite); respite provided by attendants of the care recipient at a senior center or other nonresidential program; and institutional respite provided by placing the care recipient in an institutional setting such as a nursing home for a short period of time as a respite service to the caregiver. The Johnson County Area Agency on Aging will provide the caregiver with a list of approved providers. It is the responsibility of the caregiver to identify and locate service providers and/or community resources.

The K-RAD program may subsidize the cost of services not to exceed an amount up to $1,000 per year, per care recipient. The program follows the State of Kansas fiscal calendar (July-June). Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify. Funding is limited, and no awards are guaranteed. Funds are paid to the respite provider.

To be eligible for K-RAD, a caregiver must meet the following criteria:

• Be a family member or other informal caregiver, 18 years or older, providing care to an individual of any age living with Alzheimer’s or other related dementia.
• The care recipient must have a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
• The caregiver must live in Kansas in the same home as the care recipient (persons residing in a long-term care community are not eligible). If the caregiver does not live with the recipient, an exception may be requested through KDADS.

The Kansas Respite for Alzheimer's and Dementia program plays a vital role in supporting caregivers who dedicate their time and energy to caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. By offering access to respite services, the program helps ensure that caregivers can continue to provide high-quality care while maintaining their own health and well-being.