((a)) The Secretary may furnish respite care services to a veteran who is enrolled to receive care under .

((b)) For the purpose of this section, the term “respite care services” means care and services which—

((1)) are of limited duration;

((2)) are furnished on an intermittent basis to a veteran who is suffering from a chronic illness and who resides primarily at home; and

((3)) are furnished for the purpose of helping the veteran to continue residing primarily at home.

((c)) In furnishing respite care services, the Secretary may enter into contract arrangements.