Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code § 9157

As used in this chapter: (a) “Caregiver” means any unpaid family member or individual who assumes responsibility for the care of a cognitively impaired adult with chronic and debilitating health conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke or aneurysm, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury. (b) “Cognitive impairment” means significant destruction of brain tissue with resultant loss of brain function. Examples of causes of the impairments include dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke or aneurysm, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury. (c) “Cognitively impaired adult” means a person whose cognitive impairment has occurred on or after 18 years of age. (d) “CRC” means a caregiver resource center. (e) “Department” means the California Department of Aging. (f) “Family member” means any relative, partner, or court-appointed guardian or conservator who is responsible for the care of a cognitively impaired adult. (g) “Respite care” means substitute care or supervision in support of the caregiver for the purposes of providing relief from the stresses of providing constant care and so as to enable the caregiver to pursue a normal routine and responsibilities. Respite care may be provided in the home or in an out-of-home setting, such as adult daycare centers or short-term placements in licensed residential care, skilled nursing, or inpatient facilities.