Family and emotions
Respite care: how to take a few days off from caregiving
Updated October 15, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources
Many Latino families feel that asking for help means letting Mom or Dad down. But caregiving nonstop for months or years wears down your body and your spirit. A caregiver who gets rest has more patience and energy. Respite care doesn't replace the family: it helps you keep caring.
What respite care is
You may also see it called simply "respite." It's short-term care that temporarily takes the place of the usual caregiver. It can last from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the program and what the family needs. It's useful for very practical things:
- getting a full night's sleep or recovering from an illness;
- going to your own doctor's appointments or working without interruptions;
- traveling to a family wedding, baptism, or funeral;
- taking care of your children or your partner;
- simply resting for a few days before you reach your limit.
Where it's offered
| Type of respite | How it works | Who it usually works for |
|---|---|---|
| At home | A caregiver from an agency or a volunteer comes to the home for a few hours | People who get upset by a change of place |
| Adult day center | Your loved one spends the day at a center with activities, meals, and supervision | People who can leave the house and enjoy being around others |
| Short stay in a care home | A few days or weeks in assisted living or a nursing home | Trips, surgery for the caregiver, or longer breaks |
You can search for adult day centers in our adult day center directory and for care homes with our guided search. Not all care homes accept short stays: ask directly whether they have respite rooms and how far ahead you need to book.
Who can help pay for it
The cost depends on the type of respite and on the state. These are the most common ways to pay:
- Medicaid. Many states include respite for caregivers in their home and community-based services programs (waivers). Program names vary by state, and there may be waiting lists. Read our guide on Medicaid.
- National Family Caregiver Support Program. Through Area Agencies on Aging, it offers information, counseling, support groups, and respite care for family caregivers. Availability varies by region. We explain how to ask for it in help for family caregivers.
- Medicare hospice. If your loved one is receiving hospice care, Medicare covers inpatient respite care in an approved facility: up to 5 days at a time, on an occasional basis. The person may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount. The hospice team arranges it; see hospice and palliative care. Outside of hospice, Medicare doesn't pay for respite care.
- Veterans. The VA offers respite care to enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria, at home, at adult day centers, or in a VA or VA-contracted nursing home. Its pages mention 30 days per calendar year for respite in a nursing home; check with the VA social worker how many days apply to your loved one and whether there's a copay.
- Long-term care insurance. Some policies include respite days. Review the policy or call the insurance company.
- Private pay. If you pay out of pocket, compare hourly rates with the home care cost calculator.
How to get it, step by step
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov. Ask for contact information for your county's Area Agency on Aging and ask about respite programs for caregivers. The line is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time; if you prefer Spanish, ask for it when you call.
- Search the ARCH locator, from the ARCH National Respite Network, which brings together programs by state.
- If your loved one has Medicaid, ask their care coordinator or case manager whether the plan includes respite and how many hours.
- If they have a dementia diagnosis, call the Alzheimer's Association helpline (800-272-3900, free, 24 hours a day, with help in Spanish). Many local chapters know about respite programs.
- Visit the adult day center or care home first. Use our visit checklist. To learn about adult day centers, read adult day care for older adults.
Prepare your loved one (and yourself)
The first respite is usually the hardest, for both of you. Some ideas:
- Start with a few hours and gradually make it longer.
- Write down the routine: schedules, medicines, foods they like, how to calm them, words or songs that soothe them, and whether they prefer to be spoken to in Spanish.
- Bring familiar things: a photo, their rosary, a blanket.
- Present the change naturally: "Today you're going to spend the day with some friends" may work better than a long explanation.
- Leave your phone numbers and the doctor's. If there's an emergency, whoever is caring for them should call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead do I need to book a short stay?
It depends on the place and the time of year. For a trip or a scheduled surgery, it's best to call several weeks ahead. Also ask what documents and medical evaluations they require for admission.
Can my loved one stay after the respite if they liked the place?
Sometimes, yes. Many families use a short stay to get to know a care home before deciding on a move. Ask whether there's space available and how the cost would change.
Resting isn't abandoning
If accepting respite care is hard for you, think of it like the aunt or neighbor who used to stay with Grandma for a while. It's the same idea, just organized. If you already feel constant tiredness, irritability, or sadness, also read our article on caregiver burnout and talk with your own doctor.
Sources
- Medicare.gov, hospice care coverage: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Medicare.gov, booklet "Medicare Hospice Benefits": https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf (accessed October 15, 2026)
- VA, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Respite Care: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Respite_Care.asp (accessed October 15, 2026)
- ACL, Eldercare Locator: https://eldercare.acl.gov/ (accessed October 15, 2026)
- ACL, "Help with Housing or Services" (Eldercare Locator hours): https://acl.gov/HousingandServices/FindHelp (accessed October 15, 2026)
- ACL, National Family Caregiver Support Program: https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program (accessed October 15, 2026)
- ARCH National Respite Network, respite locator: https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator/ (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, helpline: https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline (accessed October 15, 2026)
This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by year: confirm with the official agency that applies to you.
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