In-home care services
Respite care at home: a break for family caregivers
Respite care gives a family caregiver a break while a trained caregiver looks after their loved one at home. It can be a few hours for errands or a doctor's visit, a weekend away, or a few weeks while the family caregiver rests or travels. Taking breaks keeps caregivers healthy, and keeps care at home sustainable.
What respite care looks like at home
The respite caregiver steps into the routine the family caregiver follows, so the day stays familiar for the person receiving care.
- A few hours once or twice a week for errands, appointments or rest
- A full day or weekend so the family caregiver can travel or recover
- An overnight stay so the caregiver can sleep through the night
- A longer stay of a week or more during a vacation or illness
How to plan a respite break
Write down the daily routine: meals, medicine reminders already set out, favorite activities, what calms the person and what to avoid. Introduce the caregiver during a short first visit while you are home, then lengthen the visits. Leave contact numbers and a family backup.
Where help may come from
Local Area Agency on Aging programs, some Medicaid waivers, VA benefits and long-term care insurance can pay for part of respite care. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find the agency near you. See paying for care.
What respite care costs
The national median for in-home care is about $35 an hour (CareScout 2025), roughly $3,033 a month for 20 hours a week and $6,067 for 40 hours. Respite care is usually priced like other in-home care, and agencies commonly have a minimum visit length. Rates by state are on our cost of care page, and the paying for care guide covers private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits and Medicaid waivers.
Find in-home care agencies near you
Enter a city or ZIP code, or browse every state. Each listing shows its public rating and, where the state publishes a roster, the license number and the date we checked it.
Questions about respite care
How often should a family caregiver take respite?
There is no single rule, but regular short breaks help more than rare long ones. Many families set a weekly schedule.
Can my parent stay at home during respite?
Yes. The point of in-home respite is that your parent stays in their own home with a caregiver while you are away.
Is respite care only for dementia?
No. Any family caregiver can use it, whatever the care needs.