Respite Care: Information and Services
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 23 Jul 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Respite care provides short-term breaks for family caregivers through in-home help, adult day centers, or residential facilities, easing burnout and delaying placement.
At a Glance
- 1 - Respite services cost roughly 65 to 70 percent less than keeping a person in an institution.
- 2 - About 50 million people in the United States care for family members at home, most of whom would otherwise need institutional placement.
- 3 - The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 was signed into law that December, backed by a broad task force of national and state organizations spanning disability, health, aging, and abuse prevention groups.
Topic Definition
- Respite Care
Respite care is the provision of short-term accommodation in a facility outside the home in which a loved one may be placed. This provides temporary relief to those who are caring for family members, who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home. Respite programs provide planned short-term and time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid caregivers of children with a developmental delay and adults with an intellectual disability to support and maintain the primary caregiving relationship. Respite also provides a positive experience for the person receiving care. The term "short break" is used in some countries to describe respite care.
In home Respite:
Respite (In-Home) Services means intermittent or regularly scheduled temporary nonmedical care (which can be health care financed) and supervision provided in the person's home. In-Home Respite services are support services which typically include:
- Relieving family members from the constantly demanding responsibility of providing care.
- Assisting the family members to enable a person with developmental disabilities to stay at home.
- Providing appropriate care and supervision to protect that person's safety without a family member.
- Attending to basic self-help needs and other activities that would ordinarily be performed by the family member.
Out of Home Respite:
Respite services are provided in the community at diverse sites, and by service providers which operate licensed residential facilities or bill under a category called respite. Respite services typically are obtained from a respite vendor, by use of vouchers or alternative respite options. Vouchers are a means by which a family may choose their own service provider directly through a payment, coupon or other type of authorization.
Overview
How Families Access In-Home and Community Respite Support
Respite has been shown to help sustain family caregiver health and wellbeing, avoid or delay out-of-home placements, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect. An outcome-based evaluation pilot study show that respite may also reduce the likelihood of divorce and help sustain marriages.
Respite can take place in a variety of settings, including your own home. It might be for a few hours a day at a day center; or for a few days, a weekend or a couple of weeks in a residential home or with a family approved through the Adult Placement Service. A sitting service at home can also sometimes be arranged, depending on your circumstances.
In the United States today there are approximately 50 million people who are caring at home for family members including elderly parents, and spouses and children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Without this home-care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities.
When you are taking care of somebody, you also need to think about caring for yourself. Respite is the service most often requested by family caregivers, yet it is in critically short supply, inaccessible, or unaffordable regardless of the age or disability of the individual needing assistance.
Family members and friends may be able to help out while you run an errand, take a break or even go on vacation. However, just as the burden of caregiving is often more than one person can handle, it can also be a tough process for families to share. Depending on the type and intensity of care required, your health and well-being can be compromised by looking after someone else. Respite care is a chance for you and the person you care for to take a break. This can be:
- In a residential aged care home for two or three weeks.
- In a Day Care Center which provides full or half-day care.
- In their home with care ranging from a few hours a week to overnight care.
Respite care should always be geared to individual family needs by identifying the type of respite needed and matching the need to the services currently available, or using this information to develop services where none exist. Once identified, it is also important for families to have ready access to that type of respite, in an affordable form.
There are various models for providing respite care, including:
- In-home respite
- Emergency respite
- Specialized facility
- Sitter-companion services
- Therapeutic adult day care
Respite care services are offered through community organizations, agencies or residential care facilities. The most common respite care services are in-home care and adult day centers.
- In-home services can be provided by volunteer or paid help, occasionally or regularly. Services may last from a few hours to overnight, and may be arranged directly or through an agency. This popular respite choice enables individuals to remain in their environments, and can be invaluable for caregivers.
- An adult day center is a place where the person can be with others in a safe environment. Staff lead planned activities, such as music and art programs. Transportation and meals are often provided.
- Residential programs offer temporary care for varying lengths of time. Group homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other specialized facilities provide emergency and planned overnight services, allowing caretakers 24-hour relief.
States and communities are recognizing that respite care also benefits them. On average, the costs for respite services are 65 to 70 percent less than the costs of maintaining people in institutions. The cost-effectiveness of respite services allows scarce tax dollars to be used for additional community-based services.
United States Congress passed The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 (HR 3248) which was signed into law in December 2006. The bill was introduced and championed in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and James Langevin (D-RI). A companion bill in the Senate was cosponsored by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator John Warner (R-VA).
Much of the success for the passage of this legislation is due to the work of The Lifespan Respite Task Force which includes a diverse group of national and state organizations, state respite and crisis care coalitions; health and community social services; disability, mental health, education, faith, family caregiving and support groups; groups from the child advocacy and the aging community; and abuse and neglect prevention groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive respite care?
Eligibility varies by program and location, but respite care is generally available to unpaid family caregivers looking after a child with a developmental delay, an adult with an intellectual disability, an elderly parent, or a loved one with a chronic illness. Some publicly funded programs set specific criteria based on the care recipient's age, diagnosis, or level of need, so it is best to check the rules of each provider or funding source in your area.
How far in advance should I arrange respite care?
For planned breaks such as a vacation or a scheduled surgery, it helps to book several weeks ahead, since popular residential and day programs can fill quickly. For unexpected situations, emergency respite is designed to be arranged on short notice. Building a relationship with a provider before you urgently need one makes it easier to secure care when a crisis arises.
Does insurance or Medicaid cover the cost of respite care?
Coverage depends on your plan and location. Some Medicaid waiver programs, long-term care insurance policies, and veterans benefits include respite as a funded service, while other situations require families to pay out of pocket or use vouchers. Contact your insurer, local aging or disability agency, and any waiver program you belong to for details on what applies to your circumstances.
What should I look for when choosing a respite provider?
Consider the provider's training and experience with your loved one's specific needs, whether the setting is licensed and safe, the staff-to-client ratio, and the activities offered. Ask about references, emergency procedures, and how they handle medications or medical requirements. Meeting staff in advance and, where possible, arranging a short trial visit can help you judge whether the match feels right.
How do I prepare my loved one for their first respite stay?
Talk about the break openly and positively, and where possible let the person meet caregivers or visit the setting beforehand. Prepare a written summary of routines, likes and dislikes, medications, and any behavioral or medical needs so staff can provide consistent care. Sending familiar comfort items can also ease the transition and reassure the person receiving care.
Can respite care be used on a regular ongoing basis rather than just occasionally?
Yes. While some families use respite only for one-off breaks or emergencies, many arrange regularly scheduled care, such as a set number of hours each week or recurring weekend stays. A consistent schedule can help prevent caregiver burnout before it builds up and gives the person receiving care a predictable, positive routine of their own.
What is the difference between respite care and long-term or permanent placement?
Respite care is short-term and time-limited, intended to give caregivers a temporary break while keeping the person in their usual home life. Permanent placement moves the individual into a facility on an ongoing basis. In fact, effective respite is often used specifically to delay or avoid permanent placement by sustaining the health and wellbeing of the family caregiver.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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