Respite care gives family caregivers a planned break while a senior stays in a temporary facility

Respite care is short-term residential care—usually a few days to a few weeks—that lets the person who normally cares for a senior take time off without leaving the senior alone. A respite facility is a physical place where your parent or relative stays during that period, receiving meals, medication management, supervision, and activities. The senior returns home when the respite stay ends.

This is different from permanent placement. Respite care is meant to prevent caregiver burnout, handle a specific gap (like when you need surgery), or let you take a vacation. The senior keeps their home and their regular routine; respite is the interruption, not the move.

Key Takeaways

  • Respite care facilities include nursing homes, assisted living communities, adult day programs, and some hospitals—each offers different levels of supervision and medical support.
  • Cost ranges widely depending on the facility type and your location, and Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance may cover part or all of it under specific conditions.
  • You need to arrange respite care in advance, not during a crisis, because facilities book up and require medical records and a care plan before admission.
  • The senior's medical needs, mobility, and cognitive condition determine which type of facility will accept them and what they will charge.

Types of respite care facilities and what they provide

A nursing home (also called a skilled nursing facility) offers the highest level of medical care. Nurses are on staff, medications are managed by licensed personnel, and the facility can handle wound care, physical therapy, and monitoring of chronic conditions. This is the right choice if the senior needs daily medical attention or has complex health needs. Nursing homes typically charge the most and usually require a doctor's order for admission.

Assisted living communities provide meals, housekeeping, medication reminders, and help with bathing or dressing, but not nursing care. A senior who is mobile and mentally alert but needs help with daily tasks fits here. Assisted living is less expensive than nursing homes and often feels more home-like, with private or semi-private rooms and common areas.

Adult day programs are not overnight facilities—the senior attends during business hours and returns home each evening. These work well if you need a few hours of supervision and activities while you work or handle appointments. Some programs offer transportation. This is the least expensive option and suits seniors who are safe alone for part of the day but need structure and social contact.

Some hospitals and rehabilitation centers offer respite beds, usually for seniors recovering from surgery or a hospital stay who are not yet ready to go home alone. These are typically short-term (a week or two) and are often covered by Medicare if the senior was hospitalized first.

How much respite care costs and what insurance may cover

Cost depends on the facility type and your location. Nursing homes for respite care typically run $200 to $400 per day. Assisted living is often $100 to $250 per day. Adult day programs may cost $50 to $150 per day. These are rough ranges; your area may be higher or lower.

Medicare covers respite care only in specific situations: if the senior was hospitalized for at least three days and is admitted to a skilled nursing facility within 30 days, Medicare may cover up to 100 days (with cost-sharing after day 20). This is called a "may have access to stay." Medicare does not cover respite care in assisted living or adult day programs.

Medicaid covers respite care in many states, but the rules vary. Some states cover it only in nursing homes; others include assisted living. You must meet Medicaid income and asset limits, and the senior usually must already be receiving Medicaid or be in a Medicaid-waiver program. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn what your state covers.

Private insurance rarely covers respite care, but some long-term care insurance policies do. Check your policy or call your insurer. Veterans may have coverage through the VA if the senior is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran.

If insurance does not cover it, you pay out of pocket. Some nonprofits and Area Agencies on Aging offer small grants or sliding-scale fees for respite care, especially for low-income families. Ask your local Area Agency on Aging whether funds are available in your area.

How to find and book a respite care facility

Start by calling your Area Agency on Aging—they maintain lists of respite providers in your region and can tell you which ones have openings. You can find your local agency at the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or online at eldercare.acl.gov. They can also tell you about any state or local funding that might help pay for respite care.

Ask your senior's doctor for recommendations, especially if the senior has complex medical needs. The doctor may have relationships with specific nursing homes or rehabilitation centers and can help arrange admission and provide necessary medical records.

Contact facilities directly and ask about respite availability, cost, what is included (meals, activities, medication management), and what paperwork they need. Most facilities require a completed admission form, a list of current medications, recent medical records, and proof of insurance or payment method. Some require a pre-admission visit or phone assessment.

Book as far in advance as possible—ideally several weeks or months ahead. Respite beds fill quickly, especially in popular facilities or during holidays. If you wait until you need it urgently, you may find nothing available.

What to expect during a respite stay

Before admission, the facility will ask about the senior's daily routine, preferences, dietary needs, and any behavioral or medical concerns. Bring a list of all medications with dosages, copies of recent lab results or medical summaries, and information about the senior's insurance. The facility will also need emergency contact information and a copy of any advance directive or healthcare power of attorney.

On arrival day, plan to spend time helping the senior settle in. Show them their room, introduce them to staff, and stay long enough for them to feel oriented. Some seniors adjust quickly; others feel anxious. Reassure them that this is temporary and that you will return on a specific date.

During the stay, the facility will provide meals, activities, and supervision. Nursing homes and assisted living offer structured activities like crafts, exercise, or entertainment. Adult day programs usually have more activities. Call or visit if you can—it reassures the senior and lets you check on their care.

When you pick up the senior, ask staff how the stay went, whether there were any medical issues, and whether the senior ate and slept well. This feedback helps you decide whether to use the same facility again or try somewhere else.

Preparing your senior for respite care

Talk about respite care before you need it. Explain that it is temporary, that you will be back on a specific date, and that the staff will take care of them. Some seniors worry they are being abandoned or that this is the first step toward permanent placement. Be clear and honest: "I am going to take a week off, and you will stay at [facility name] where they will give you meals and activities. I will pick you up on Saturday."

If possible, visit the facility together before the respite stay. Let the senior see the room, meet a staff member, and get comfortable with the place. This reduces anxiety on the first day.

For seniors with dementia or anxiety, ask the facility whether they can accommodate a comfort item—a favorite blanket, photo, or stuffed animal. Some facilities allow this; others have restrictions. Familiar objects can ease the transition.

If the senior has never stayed away from home, consider a short first respite stay (two or three days) rather than a week. Success on a short stay builds confidence for longer ones later.

Paying for respite care if insurance does not cover it

If you are paying out of pocket, ask the facility about discounts for longer stays or for paying upfront. Some facilities offer a small reduction if you commit to regular respite stays (for example, one week per month).

Check whether your state or local government offers respite care subsidies. Some states have programs specifically for family caregivers with low to moderate income. Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you whether your state has one.

Some nonprofits focused on specific diseases (Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, etc.) offer respite care grants or can direct you to local funding. If your senior has a specific diagnosis, search for the disease-specific nonprofit and ask about respite support.

If cost is a barrier, consider adult day programs as a lower-cost alternative. You get a break during the day while the senior is supervised, and the cost is often half that of overnight respite care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my senior stay in respite care longer than a few weeks?

Respite care is designed to be short-term, usually a few days to a few weeks. If you need longer-term care or are considering permanent placement, that is a different conversation and a different type of facility. Talk to the facility about what their maximum respite stay is—some have limits.

What if my senior has dementia or behavioral issues?

Tell the facility upfront about dementia, anxiety, or behavioral concerns. Not all facilities are equipped to handle these. Nursing homes and some assisted living communities have memory care units or staff trained in dementia care. Adult day programs vary. Ask specifically whether they have experience with the senior's condition and what strategies they use.

Can I use respite care if my senior is on Medicaid?

Yes, if your state's Medicaid program covers respite care. Rules vary by state. Some cover it only in nursing homes; others include assisted living or adult day programs. Contact your state Medicaid office or your senior's Medicaid caseworker to learn what is covered and whether the senior meets the requirements.

What if my senior refuses to go to respite care?

Resistance is common, especially on the first stay. Frame it positively: "This gives me time to rest so I can take better care of you." Involve the senior's doctor—sometimes hearing it from the doctor carries more weight. Start with a short stay and choose a facility that feels welcoming. If the senior has dementia, consistency helps; using the same facility repeatedly builds familiarity.

Does respite care count toward the three-day hospital stay requirement for Medicare coverage?

No. The three-day hospital stay must happen before the respite stay. If your senior was hospitalized for at least three days and admitted to a skilled nursing facility within 30 days, Medicare may cover the respite stay. If there was no prior hospitalization, Medicare does not cover it.