Respite care is short-term care for your loved one so that you, the family caregiver, can take a break. It might be a few hours to see your own doctor, a day a week to rest, or a week away for a family wedding. The Administration for Community Living describes respite as temporary relief for caregivers that can be planned ahead or arranged in an emergency.
Why respite matters
Caregiving is often a 24-hour job with no days off. Over months and years, that wears people down physically and emotionally. Many caregivers put off their own medical care, stop seeing friends, and feel guilty for even wanting a break.
Here's another way to see it: respite isn't something you take away from your loved one. It's what lets you keep caring for them. A rested caregiver is more patient, makes better decisions, and is less likely to get sick or hurt. If you are already running on empty, our caregiver burnout guide can help you spot the warning signs.
If you're at a breaking point
If you feel hopeless, overwhelmed, or have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Types of respite care
| Type | What it looks like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | A paid aide, trained volunteer, or relative comes to the home for a few hours or overnight | Regular short breaks; loved ones who do best in familiar surroundings |
| Adult day programs | Your loved one spends the day at a supervised program | Working caregivers; weekly breaks |
| Short-term residential stay | A few days or weeks in an assisted living community, memory care unit, or nursing home | Vacations, caregiver surgery or illness, emergencies |
| Hospice respite | Short inpatient stay arranged by the hospice team | Caregivers of people in Medicare hospice |
| Informal respite | Family, friends, neighbors, or faith community members take a shift | Low-cost, flexible breaks |
Many assisted living communities accept short-term respite guests if they have an open apartment. It can also be a low-pressure way for a parent to try out a community. Learn more about adult day care and in-home care.
How much respite do you need?
There's no official formula. A useful approach is to think in three layers:
- Regular breaks. A predictable block every week, such as one afternoon or one full day, gives you something to count on. Many caregivers say knowing a break is coming makes the hard days easier to get through.
- Longer breaks. A few days or a week, a few times a year, for real rest, travel, or family events.
- A backup plan. Who steps in if you get sick, injured, or need surgery? Arrange it before you need it. A short-term stay in a community you've already toured is much easier to set up in an emergency.
Illustrative example: a husband caring for his wife with Parkinson's disease might use a paid aide every Tuesday afternoon, ask his adult son to cover one Saturday a month, and book a five-day stay at a nearby assisted living community each spring so he can visit his sister.
What respite care costs
The cost of respite depends on the setting. The CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey found national medians of $35 an hour for a non-medical in-home caregiver, $95 a day for adult day health care, and $6,200 a month for assisted living. Short-term residential stays are often billed by the day and may cost more per day than a long-term resident pays, so ask for the daily respite rate in writing. Also ask whether there is a minimum stay, a deposit, or a separate fee for medication management during the visit.
Who pays for respite care
Medicare (hospice only)
Original Medicare pays for respite care only under the hospice benefit. According to Medicare's hospice booklet, a person in hospice can stay in a Medicare-approved facility for up to 5 days each time they get respite care, and respite can be used more than once, "but only on an occasional basis." The person may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite. See hospice and palliative care.
Medicaid
Respite care is one of the standard services states can offer through Medicaid home and community-based services waivers. Who qualifies, how many hours are allowed, and how long the waiting list is all depend on your state. Ask your state Medicaid agency or Area Agency on Aging.
Veterans Affairs
VA offers respite care to enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria, when it's available locally. VA says it can be provided at home by a home health aide, at an adult day health care center, or in a VA Community Living Center or community nursing home. A copay may apply depending on service-connected disability status and income; a VA social worker can help you complete the extended care application (VA Form 10-10EC). Family caregivers of veterans can also reach the VA Caregiver Support Program. See VA caregiver support.
Other sources
- Area Agencies on Aging often fund limited respite through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
- State Lifespan Respite programs. ACL has funded Lifespan Respite grants in many states to make respite easier to find and use.
- Long-term care insurance policies frequently include a respite benefit.
- Disease organizations and faith communities sometimes offer small grants or volunteer respite.
How to find respite care
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging.
- Search the ARCH National Respite Locator, a free database of respite providers. ARCH notes it is informational and not all-inclusive.
- Ask your loved one's doctor, hospital social worker, or hospice team.
- Veterans: ask the VA social worker or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
- Check our find local help page.
Making respite go smoothly
The first break is often the hardest, for you and your loved one. A little preparation helps.
- Start small. Try a few hours before a full day, and a day before a week.
- Write it down. Medications, allergies, routines, what calms them, favorite foods, and emergency contacts. Our Caregiver Organizer keeps it all in one place.
- Introduce the helper while you're still there, if you can.
- Plan the break itself. Rest, see a friend, go to your own appointments. Try not to fill it entirely with chores.
- Book the next one. Regular respite works better than waiting for a crisis.
About the guilt
Almost every caregiver feels guilty the first time they leave. Your loved one may even say they don't want anyone else. That's normal. Give it a few tries before deciding it isn't working, and remember that you deserve care too.
Check before you decide
Benefit rules, dollar amounts, and state programs change, and every family's situation is different. This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice.
- Confirm eligibility and current amounts with the agency itself: Medicare, your state Medicaid office, or the VA.
- For legal documents and Medicaid planning, talk with a licensed elder law attorney in your state.
- For health questions, talk with the person's doctor. In an emergency, call 911.
Common questions
Does Medicare pay for respite care?
Only under the hospice benefit. If your loved one is in Medicare hospice, they can get short inpatient respite stays of up to 5 days at a time, occasionally, so the caregiver can rest. They may owe 5% of the Medicare-approved amount.
Does the VA offer respite care?
Yes. VA offers respite care for enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria, at home, at an adult day health center, or in a nursing home, depending on what's available locally. A copay may apply. See VA caregiver support.
How do I find respite care near me?
Start with your Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) and the ARCH National Respite Locator. Our find local help page lists more options.
How often should a caregiver take respite?
There's no set rule. Many caregivers do best with something regular, like one day a week, plus a longer break a few times a year. If you're exhausted, the time to start is now.
Sources
- Lifespan Respite Care Program — Administration for Community Living. acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/lifespan-respite-care-program
- National Respite Locator Service — ARCH National Respite Network. archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator
- Respite Care — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. va.gov/geriatrics/pages/respite_care.asp
- Medicare Hospice Benefits (booklet) — Medicare.gov. medicare.gov/publications/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf
- Hospice care — Medicare.gov. medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
- Home & Community-Based Services 1915(c) — Medicaid.gov. medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/home-community-based-services-authorities/home-community-based-services-1915c
- Eldercare Locator — Administration for Community Living. eldercare.acl.gov
- CareScout Releases 2025 Cost of Care Survey Results — Genworth Financial. investor.genworth.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1054
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. General information only, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Benefit rules and amounts change, so confirm with the agency before you decide. See our disclaimer.