Respite Care in the Tri-Cities
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care provides short-term daytime support for adults with disabilities, giving their primary caregivers a much-needed break. It’s an opportunity for the individual to enjoy a safe, engaging environment while their family or caregiver recharges. In fact, respite care is a great way for both the caregiver and their loved one to have a break and recharge dshs.wa.gov . Columbia Ability Alliance’s Respite Care program in Kennewick, WA offers this relief to Tri-Cities families – combining professional care, fun activities, and flexibility to fit your needs.
Benefits of Respite Care for Families
For caregivers, the benefit of respite is stress relief. Looking after an adult son or daughter with unique abilities is rewarding, but it can also lead to fatigue and burnout over time. Regular respite sessions allow caregivers to rest, run errands, or attend to other responsibilities, all while knowing their loved one is in good hands. According to AARP, respite care is vital for caregivers’ well-being, giving them time for self-care and reducing the emotional and physical toll. Many of our client families share that having just a few hours a week of reliable respite makes a world of difference, they return to their caregiving duties feeling refreshed and supported.
For the individuals participating, respite days are something to look forward to! Rather than staying at home, adults with disabilities get to socialize and have fun in a community setting. At Columbia Ability Alliance’s Community Center (where our respite program is hosted), participants can join group activities like arts and crafts, music, light exercise, games, and more. They build friendships with peers and engage in stimulating activities tailored to their interests and abilities. This social enrichment helps combat loneliness and improves mood and confidence. In short, our respite care services benefit the entire family: caregivers get peace of mind and rest, while participants enjoy a day of meaningful engagement and care.
Who Is Eligible?
Our Adult Respite Services are open to adults 18 years or older who have developmental disabilities or other barriers and who live with family or other caregivers in the community. We welcome individuals with a range of unique abilities, our staff are trained to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other special needs. Each new participant will meet with our team so we can understand their needs, preferences, and any care considerations (such as medications or mobility support). Our goal is to ensure that every participant can safely enjoy our program and that caregivers feel confident entrusting their family member to us. Hours & Location: Respite care sessions take place weekdays during daytime hours at our Columbia Ability Alliance Community Center in Kennewick. You can choose how often your loved one attends, whether it’s a couple of days a week or just an occasional drop-in for a few hours. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your family’s routine.
Flexible Payment Options (Private Pay & DDA Funding)
We believe respite care should be accessible to all families who need it. That’s why Columbia Ability Alliance offers multiple payment options for our respite services. Private pay (out-of-pocket) is welcome for those who do not have state funding; we charge an affordable session rate. We also accept Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) funding for respite. If your family member is a client of Washington State’s DDA (for example, on an Individual & Family Services or Basic Plus waiver that includes respite hours), you can use those benefits with our program. Our team can assist with the necessary documentation or billing so that utilizing your DDA respite allocation is seamless. Additionally, if you are unsure about eligibility for state-funded respite, we encourage you to speak with your DDA case manager or reach out to us for guidance. We can provide resources and connect you with the right contacts to explore funding support. Columbia Ability Alliance is committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to getting much-needed respite care.
Convenient Transportation with Dial-A-Ride
For many families in the Tri-Cities, transportation is a key consideration. We strive to make attending our respite program as convenient as possible. Our Kennewick center is served by Dial-A-Ride, the door-to-door public transit service for people whose disabilities prevent them from using regular buses. Dial-A-Ride drivers can pick up your family member from home and bring them to our center, then return them home after the session. This service is wheelchair-accessible and offers curb-to-curb rides, ensuring safe and comfortable transport for our participants. If your loved one is not yet enrolled in Dial-A-Ride, we can provide information on how to apply for this service through Ben Franklin Transit.
Many caregivers also choose to drop off and pick up their loved ones themselves, and that’s perfectly fine, our location has a drop-off area and a friendly staff member will be ready to greet you at drop-off. Whether you utilize Dial-A-Ride or personal transportation, we’ll work with you to coordinate a smooth arrival and departure every time.
Experience a Free 3-Hour Trial Session
Choosing a respite care provider is a big decision, and we want you to feel completely confident in Columbia Ability Alliance. That’s why we invite new families to try a free 3-hour respite session with us. This no-cost trial lets your loved one experience our Community Center program firsthand, they’ll meet our caring staff, participate in activities with peers, and get a feel for the environment. Meanwhile, you as the caregiver can enjoy a few hours off knowing that your family member is safe and engaged. After the session, we’ll check in with you to share how it went and answer any questions. There’s no obligation to continue if it’s not the right fit, but we’re confident you’ll see the positive impact even one day can have. Our experienced team, warm atmosphere, and variety of activities often win over participants (even those who might be shy at first!).
Take the Next Step
If you’re in the Kennewick, Pasco, or Richland area and looking for respite care services, Columbia Ability Alliance is here for you. Contact us today to schedule your free 3-hour respite care session or to ask any questions. We’re happy to provide more details, give you a tour of our Community Center, or discuss how our program can meet your family’s unique needs. Relief is just a phone call away – let us support you and your loved one with our compassionate, expert respite care in the Tri-Cities.
