10A NCAC 28F .0803       RESPITE CARE

(a)  Persons may be admitted to the regional mental retardation centers for respite care. Respite care may be afforded a person for one of the following three reasons:

(1)           Regular Respite Care. A parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care of a mentally retarded person requires relief from the care of a mentally retarded person for such reasons as a family vacation or the need for home rest.

(2)           Respite Care for Behavior Management. A parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care of a mentally retarded person requires relief from the care of a mentally retarded person who is presenting severe behavioral problems which either disrupt or interfere with normal family functioning. Respite care for this purpose is offered to allow the family time to rest as well as to explore local community resources and services, which could be utilized following discharge.

(3)           Emergency Respite Care. The death or temporary loss of a parent, guardian or other responsible person, or any other situation leaves the mentally retarded person without supervision or care. Respite care for this purpose is offered to provide temporary care while community resources and services which could be utilized following discharge can be explored by the agency initiating the application.

(b)  Respite care admissions shall normally be for a period not to exceed 30 days. If a caregiver requests, an additional 30 days may be granted and the admission status shall be changed from respite care to some other category.

(c)  Respite care admissions, except emergency respite care admissions, shall be scheduled and all required admission data supplied at least two weeks prior to admission.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 122C‑112; 122C‑181; 122C‑241; 143B‑147;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. March 1, 1990;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. August 24, 2019.