Respite Care Finders

Why respite matters

Caregiver burnout leads to depression, illness, and worse outcomes for the person being cared for. Respite — even a few hours a week — improves both lives. Most caregivers don't take respite because they don't know where to find it.

Free or low-cost respite

• Area Agency on Aging (AAA) — every county has one. Some pay for in-home help.
• Veterans — VA Respite Program, 30 days/year free for vets' family caregivers.
• Medicaid waivers — most states cover respite. Check your state Medicaid office.
• Hospice — Medicare covers 5 days inpatient respite per stretch.
• National Family Caregiver Support Program — federal, $300-1,500/year.
• Local faith communities — many host volunteer "caregiver helpers".
• Adult day programs — $40-100/day. Some scholarships available.

Finder tools

• Eldercare Locator — 1-800-677-1116 OR eldercare.acl.gov. Free hotline.
• ARCH National Respite Network — archrespite.org. State-by-state directory.
• Care.com — paid: $10-30/hour for in-home help. Background checks available.
• Visiting Angels, Home Instead — $25-40/hr in-home companion care.
• 211 hotline — call 211, ask for caregiver respite resources.

Types of respite

• In-home companion — paid helper sits with patient, $20-30/hr.
• Adult day program — patient goes to facility for 4-8 hours. Activities, meals.
• Overnight respite — patient stays at care facility 1-7 days.
• Camp respite — week-long summer respite camps for caregivers.
• Family/friend swap — schedule trusted family for 4-hour blocks.
• Volunteer respite — Faith in Action, hospice volunteers, AmeriCorps Senior Companion (free).

First-time respite checklist

1. Write down medication schedule + allergies.
2. Emergency contacts list.
3. Doctor names + phone numbers.
4. Daily routine outline.
5. Tour the facility (or interview helper) BEFORE you leave.
6. Start small — 2-4 hours first time.
7. Don't feel guilty. This is part of caring.