Respite Care

Short-term cover so family caregivers can rest, work, travel or simply recharge without worry.

Find respite care caregiversWhat is included
An older woman with her adult son and granddaughter laughing outdoors
Who it helps
Family caregivers who need a break to rest, work, travel or look after their own health.
Type of care
Non-medical, in your home, by the hour, overnight or live-in
Often combined with
Overnight Care, Companion Care, Dementia Care

What respite care includes

Every caregiver sets out exactly which tasks they offer on their profile. These are the most common ones; agree on the details in your care request.

  • Time off for you

    Cover for a few hours, a weekend or longer.

  • Your routine, kept

    Following the daily routine you already have in place.

  • Meals and fluids

    Cooking and making sure meals are not skipped.

  • Personal care

    Washing, dressing and toileting when needed.

  • Medication reminders

    Following the times on your written guide.

  • Company

    Keeping your loved one engaged and reassured.

  • Overnight cover

    Night shifts so you can finally sleep.

  • A handover note

    A summary of the day when you come back.

Is respite care right for your family?

Non-medical help covers daily life at home. Some needs call for a licensed professional instead, and many families use both.

A good fit when

  • You have not had a real break in months
  • You need cover for work, a trip or a hospital visit
  • Your own health is starting to suffer
  • Your loved one should not be left alone

Ask a licensed professional for

  • Skilled nursing during your absence
  • Administering injections or IV medication
  • Decisions about treatment

Your loved one's doctor can refer you to a licensed home health agency. Many families combine both kinds of help.

Example schedules

Most families start with a few hours and adjust. Enter an hourly rate to estimate a monthly budget; real rates are set by each caregiver on their profile.

Example rate. Change it to see your estimate.

Weekly afternoon off

4 hours / week

A regular break you can plan around.

About $520 per month

Weekend away

48 hours / week

Day and overnight cover from Friday to Sunday.

About $6,235 per month

Week of travel

120 hours / week

Shared shifts by two caregivers while you are away.

About $15,588 per month

Estimate = hourly rate × hours per week × 4.33 weeks. It excludes any payment processing fee, mileage or overtime. See our guide to care costs.

A closer look at respite care

Care for the caregiver

Millions of Americans care for a relative without pay, often alongside a job and children. Caregiving can be deeply meaningful, but it is also tiring, and burnout helps no one. Respite care means someone else takes over for a while, so you can sleep, see a doctor, go to work, travel or simply have an afternoon to yourself.

How respite care works

  • A few hours a week: a regular break you can plan around.
  • Occasional days: cover for a wedding, a business trip or a hospital visit of your own.
  • Longer stays: overnight or live-in help while you are away.

Make the handover easy

Before the first visit, prepare a one-page guide: daily routine, meals, medication reminders and times, mobility needs, things that comfort or upset your loved one, and emergency contacts. Introduce the caregiver while you are still at home for the first session if you can.

Paying for respite

Some state programs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program through your local Area Agency on Aging, and some VA programs offer respite support. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find services near you.

And remember: needing a break is not a failure. It is part of caring well over the long run.

Questions about respite care

Short answers to what families ask most. More in our FAQ.

How do I make the handover easy?

Write a one-page guide with the routine, meals, medication reminders, comfort tips and emergency contacts, and introduce the caregiver while you are still home.

Is there help paying for respite?

Some programs help, including the National Family Caregiver Support Program through your local Area Agency on Aging and some VA programs. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to them.

Is it normal to feel guilty about taking a break?

Very. But regular breaks are part of caring well over the long run, for you and for the person you care for.

Helpful guides

All resources
Family Caregiving 3 min read

Caregiver Burnout: How to Recognize It and What Actually Helps

Caring for a loved one is meaningful and exhausting. Learn the warning signs of burnout and practical steps to protect your own health.
Family Caregiving 3 min read

Long-Distance Caregiving: How to Help When You Live Far Away

Practical ways to stay involved, organized and reassured when an aging parent lives hours away.
Family Caregiving 3 min read

The First Day With a New Caregiver: How to Prepare Everyone

A smooth first visit sets the tone for everything that follows. Here is how to prepare your loved one, your home and the caregiver.

Find respite care near you

Compare reviewed caregivers, see their rates and availability, and send a free care request. No obligation.

Browse caregivers How it works

Caregivers on CaregiverCrew provide non-medical support only. They do not diagnose, treat, administer injections or perform skilled nursing tasks. Rules about what non-licensed caregivers may do differ by state; when in doubt, ask your loved one's doctor.

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