Respite care is temporary, short-term care provided to someone who needs assistance, giving their regular caregiver a break.
It can last a few hours, a full day, or several days, depending on the situation. The goal is to give caregivers time to rest, run errands, manage personal matters, or simply recharge, while ensuring the person receiving care is safe and supported.
Types of Respite Care
- In-home respite: A trained professional or volunteer comes to the home to provide care.
- Adult day programs: The person receiving care attends a structured program outside the home for part of the day.
- Short-term residential respite: The person stays temporarily in a facility, such as a nursing home, assisted living, or hospice, while the caregiver takes a break.
- Volunteer or community programs: Churches, nonprofits, and community centers may provide short-term respite support.
- Reduces caregiver stress and fatigue
- Provides time for personal errands, appointments, or rest
- Helps maintain caregiver health and well-being
- Ensures the person receiving care continues to receive safe, quality support
In short, respite care is a way for caregivers to take care of themselves while knowing their loved one is still being cared for.
How to Find Respite Support
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding but also exhausting. Respite care provides temporary relief, giving you time to rest, run errands, or take care of personal needs. Here’s how caregivers can find reliable support.
1. Check local agencies and organizations- Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): Most counties have an AAA that maintains lists of respite providers and programs.
- Local senior centers or disability service offices: These often host caregiver programs or can connect you with vetted respite services.
- Many in-home care agencies offer short-term or hourly care, which can include companion care, personal care, or overnight stays.
- Call and ask specifically about respite services; some agencies have caregivers trained for temporary assignments.
- Local assisted living facilities or memory care unit may offer short term respite for a fee.
- Churches, synagogues, and local nonprofits sometimes offer volunteer respite programs.
- Community centers may also have partnerships with adult day programs or short-term care providers.
- Most hospice programs include respite care as part of their services.
- Respite is usually short-term (often up to five days) to give caregivers a break.
- It can be provided in the home, a hospice facility, or a contracted facility.
- The patient must be enrolled in hospice, typically meaning they have a terminal diagnosis and meet hospice eligibility criteria.
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS): Offers respite for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, in-home, at day programs, or specialized residential sites. Eligibility depends on the individual’s service plan and funding.
- Department of Mental Health (DMH): Provides respite for caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness, which may include in-home support or temporary stays in licensed facilities. Access depends on the person’s DMH service plan.
- Friends and family you trust may be available and open to support you and your loved one by providing short term respite care or even taking other tasks of your hands.
- Peer networks are a great source of firsthand information about local respite providers.
- Support groups—both in-person and online—often share vetted contacts and tips for scheduling care.
By exploring local agencies, home care services, community programs, and peer networks, caregivers can find respite options that provide a much-needed break while ensuring their loved one receives safe and quality care.