Respite Care for Dementia Caregivers in Ohio: Options and Who May Help Pay

How Ohio dementia caregivers can find a break—Area Agency on Aging, state Alzheimer's respite funds, Family Caregiver Support, PASSPORT out-of-home respite, adult day, and free education—with verified phones and a last-checked date.

By Jim Pavlish, Editor · Last updated: November 7, 2026 · Editorial policy

Short answer: in Ohio, a break from dementia caregiving often starts with your local Area Agency on Aging—call 1-866-243-5678 (Ohio Department of Aging "Local Office" page) to be connected to the AAA that serves your county. From there, ask about state Alzheimer's Respite funds, the federal Family Caregiver Support Program, adult day, and (if the person may qualify for Medicaid) PASSPORT services that include out-of-home respite. Availability is limited; waitlists and caps are common. This is general information, not a guarantee that you or your loved one will get a particular service.

Last checked: November 7, 2026. Phone numbers, funding and eligibility change. Confirm every detail on the linked official pages or by calling before you rely on it. This page is not medical, legal or financial advice.

For the national overview of what respite is and how GUIDE and other payers may help, see our Respite Care page. This article adds Ohio-specific doors so you are not starting from a blank search.

What "respite" means here

Respite is short-term care for the person with dementia so the regular caregiver can rest, work, keep a medical appointment or simply sleep. It can happen at home, at an adult day center, or overnight in a facility. Using it is part of sustainable caregiving, not a failure—see Caregiver Stress and Burnout.

First step: call your Area Agency on Aging

The Ohio Department of Aging's find-services page says: for local services and supports for older adults and caregivers, call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the area agency on aging serving your community.

Northeast Ohio examples: Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) covers Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina; Direction Home Akron Canton covers Summit, Stark, Portage and Wayne (confirm when you call). County directories: Dementia Caregiver Resources in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Dementia Caregiver Resources in Summit County, Ohio. National numbers: Helplines and Support Organizations.

State-funded Alzheimer's Respite

Ohio Department of Aging policy 109-SPP-09 (Alzheimer's Respite) says ODA awards Alzheimer's Respite funds to each AAA each year. The purpose is to assist family caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.

Allowed AAA respite services in that policy include personal care, homemaker, adult day, visiting (temporary in-home help) and institutional respite (24 hours or more). The policy also funds Alzheimer's Association core services (helpline, support groups, education, care consultation) through each AAA. Cost sharing under Ohio's Older Americans Act rules is not mandatory for Alzheimer Respite, but AAAs may choose to use it.

Local access points in the WRAAA region (2026 list)

WRAAA's 2026 Alzheimer's Respite Focal Points PDF (opened November 7, 2026) lists contacts for respite access in its counties as follows:

Medina County does not appear on that one-page 2026 focal-points list. If you live in Medina, ask WRAAA directly how Alzheimer's Respite is accessed there. Geauga County Department on Aging's own site lists the same main phone, (440) 279-2130, at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 200, Chardon, OH 44024.

Do not treat a focal-point listing as a promise of hours or payment—ask about eligibility, paperwork and waitlists.

Family Caregiver Support Programs (Older Americans Act)

WRAAA Family Caregiver Support

WRAAA pairs unpaid caregivers with a Care Coordinator and, when appropriate, helps build a respite ("Time Out") plan—temporary care at home, a day center or a facility. Information, assistance and care planning are at no cost (WRAAA). Eligibility includes caregivers of someone of any age with Alzheimer's or related disorders, among other groups. Call 216-586-3441 or 800-626-7277, ext. 3131.

Direction Home Akron Canton

Direction Home's caregiver page covers information, training and support groups. For full services it points to the ADRC at 877-770-5558; Family Caregiver Support Specialist 330-899-5243; main toll-free 800-421-7277. Ask what respite help exists in your county now—do not assume hours or dollar caps.

Medicaid PASSPORT and out-of-home respite

Ohio's PASSPORT waiver (Ohio Department of Medicaid fact sheet, September 2025) is for people who:

• Meet financial criteria for Medicaid (county Job and Family Services)
• Meet a nursing-facility level of care
• Are age 60 or older

Among available services, the fact sheet lists out-of-home respite, adult day health, personal care aide, homemaker, home-delivered meals and others. How to request: submit form ODM 02399 to your county Department of Job and Family Services, use the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal, or call 1-844-644-6582.

PASSPORT is not automatic. Medical and financial rules both apply; waitlists or enrollment limits can exist. For Medicare vs Medicaid basics, see Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care. For paying a family caregiver under waiver options, see Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver. An elder-law attorney and your AAA can help you understand look-back rules and estate recovery—this page does not give legal advice.

Adult day programs

Adult day is one of the most common forms of daytime respite. Use our Adult Day Programs for People with Dementia guide for what to ask when you visit a center. In Ohio, ask your AAA whether Alzheimer's Respite, Family Caregiver Support or a Medicaid waiver can help with the fee in your county. We are not stating how Ohio certifies adult day centers here—confirm certification and payment with the AAA and the center.

Free education and connection (another form of relief)

The Golden Buckeye Center for Dementia Caregiving (Ohio State University College of Nursing), created with Ohio's statewide dementia program led by the Ohio Department of Aging, offers trainings, resources and support for family and professional caregivers across Ohio.

• Phone: 800-645-2946
• Email: dementiacaregiving@osu.edu
• Hours listed: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

Education and peer support do not replace hands-on respite, but many caregivers find that knowing what to do—and that they are not alone—makes hard weeks more manageable.

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 can also help with local respite pointers, support groups and care consultation (alz.org helpline page).

Backup plan and limits

Write down 866-243-5678, one backup sitter, and 800-272-3900. Ask your AAA about Alzheimer's Respite and Family Caregiver Support this month. Tour one adult day program before a crisis. If Medicaid may apply, ask about PASSPORT and keep ID and benefit papers ready.

Ohio respite funds are limited—waitlists, caps and cost sharing are common. A phone number here is not an approval. Re-check the official sites. New to caregiving? See Caregiving Guide: Where to Start and Caregiver Stress and Burnout.

Common questions

What is the first number to call for respite in Ohio?

Call 1-866-243-5678 so the Ohio Department of Aging can connect you to the Area Agency on Aging for your community. Then ask specifically about Alzheimer's Respite and Family Caregiver Support.

Does Ohio have special money for Alzheimer's respite?

Yes. ODA policy 109-SPP-09 describes annual Alzheimer's Respite funds awarded to each AAA for caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer's or other dementia. Services can include personal care, homemaker, adult day, visiting and institutional respite. Ask your AAA how to apply locally.

Can Medicaid pay for respite in Ohio?

PASSPORT's September 2025 fact sheet lists out-of-home respite among waiver services for eligible adults 60+ who meet nursing-facility level of care and Medicaid financial rules. Start with your AAA or county Job and Family Services; use form ODM 02399 or call 1-844-644-6582.

Is the Alzheimer's Association "Caregiver Relief Program" listed here?

No. A Greater East Ohio Caregiver Relief Program page was not reachable (404) when checked on November 7, 2026, so we are not publishing unverified hour caps or emails. Call the Association Helpline at 800-272-3900 and ask what respite help exists in your chapter area today.

Sources

1. Ohio Department of Aging: Find Services / Local Office (AAA 1-866-243-5678)
2. Ohio Department of Aging policy 109-SPP-09: Alzheimer's Respite (PDF hosted by WRAAA)
3. Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging: 2026 Alzheimer's Respite Focal Points (PDF)
4. Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging: Family Caregiver Support
5. Direction Home Akron Canton: I'm a Caregiver
6. Ohio Department of Medicaid: PASSPORT Waiver fact sheet (September 2025)
7. Ohio State University College of Nursing: Golden Buckeye Center for Dementia Caregiving
8. Geauga County Department on Aging
9. Alzheimer's Association: 24/7 Helpline

Not medical advice. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual. Talk with a doctor about your situation.

Related articles

• Respite Care
• Adult Day Programs for People with Dementia
• Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care
• Dementia Caregiver Resources in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• Caregiver Stress and Burnout
• Helplines and Support Organizations