Caring for a parent or partner at home is demanding, and burnout is one of the most common reasons families move a loved one into a facility sooner than they wanted. Respite care is short-term care that steps in so the family caregiver can rest, work, travel or simply sleep.
Types of respite care
- In-home respite. A caregiver from a home care agency comes to the house for a few hours, overnight, or for several days. This is the least disruptive option for people with dementia.
- Adult day programs. Supervised daytime programs with meals, activities and sometimes health services, usually on weekdays.
- Short-term residential stays. Many assisted living and memory care communities offer stays of a few days to a few weeks.
- Informal respite. Family, friends, faith communities and volunteer programs taking a shift.
Who pays for respite care
| Program | What it can cover |
|---|---|
| Medicaid HCBS waivers | Most states include respite in their home and community-based waiver programs for eligible members. |
| VA benefits | Eligible veterans can receive up to 30 days of respite care each calendar year, at home, at an adult day center or in a VA facility. |
| National Family Caregiver Support Program | Funds respite and caregiver support through local Area Agencies on Aging. |
| Medicare hospice benefit | Covers short inpatient respite stays (up to 5 days at a time) for people receiving hospice care. Medicare does not cover respite otherwise. |
| Long-term care insurance | Many policies include a respite benefit; check the policy wording. |
| Private pay | In-home respite is billed at the agency’s hourly rate, about $35 an hour at the national median (CareScout 2025). |
How to arrange respite care
- Call your Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) to ask what respite programs and funding exist locally.
- Ask home care agencies about minimum visit lengths and whether they can send the same caregiver each time.
- Write down routines, medications, emergency contacts and what calms your loved one, so the respite caregiver can step in smoothly.
- Schedule respite regularly, not only in emergencies. Caregivers who take planned breaks tend to keep caring at home longer.
If your loved one also needs nursing or therapy, a home health agency can provide that under a doctor’s order. See the top-rated home health agencies in your city.