Memory Digest

Respite Care

Respite care gives dementia caregivers a short break while the person they care for stays safe; learn the types, what it costs and who may help pay, how to find it, and how to get past guilt about using it.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Caring for someone with dementia is often a round-the-clock job, and it can go on for years. Everyone needs a break. Respite care is short-term care for the person with dementia so that the regular caregiver can rest, run errands, see friends, go to their own doctor—or simply sleep.

As the Alzheimer's Association puts it, respite lets caregivers take a temporary rest while the person living with dementia continues to receive care in a safe environment. Using it can strengthen your ability to keep caregiving. It's not a luxury; it's part of a sustainable care plan.

What respite care is

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), respite care:

• Provides short-term relief for primary caregivers
• Can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks
• Can take place at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day center
• Can be provided by family, friends, volunteers or paid professionals

Types of respite care

In-home respite

Someone comes to the home so you can step away. The Alzheimer's Association describes several levels:

• Companion services – company and supervised activities
• Personal care or home health aides – help with bathing, dressing, toileting and exercise
• Homemaker services – laundry, shopping and meal preparation
• Skilled care – help with medicines and other medical needs

In-home respite can be as simple as a neighbor sitting with your loved one for an afternoon each week.

Adult day centers

Adult day centers offer a safe place where people with dementia can spend the day with others. The Alzheimer's Association notes that staff lead planned activities such as music and art, and that transportation and meals are often provided. For caregivers who work, a regular day program can make a big difference.

Overnight and short stays

Some assisted living communities and nursing homes offer stays of a night, a few days or a few weeks, which can allow a longer break or a vacation. The Alzheimer's Association notes that a person with dementia may find a new setting hard at first, and that regular stays can make adjusting easier.

Respite through hospice

For someone receiving hospice care, the NIA explains that Medicare covers most of the cost of up to five consecutive days of respite care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. See Hospice and End-of-Life Care.

Benefits for both of you

The Alzheimer's Association lists benefits for the caregiver—time to relax, see family and friends, and take care of errands and health appointments—and for the person with dementia, who can:

• Spend time with others who have similar experiences
• Be in a safe, supportive setting
• Take part in activities matched to their abilities

Many caregivers find that a rested caregiver is a more patient caregiver. See Caregiver Stress and Burnout.

What it costs and who may help pay

The NIA explains:

• Respite from family, friends or volunteers may cost nothing.
• Professional services charge by the hour or by the number of days or weeks.
• Medicaid may help pay in some cases.
• Most private health insurance does not cover respite, though some long-term care insurance policies do.
• Costs not covered by insurance or government programs must be paid out of pocket.

The Alzheimer's Association adds that overnight stays are usually not covered by insurance or Medicare, and suggests looking into scholarships, sliding-scale fees and government programs.

The Medicare GUIDE program

Medicare's GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) supports people with dementia and their caregivers through participating health care organizations. According to CMS, it can pay for respite services up to $2,500 a year per eligible person, including in-home care, adult day programs and facility-based respite. GUIDE is available only through participating programs and to people who meet its rules—ask your doctor or local Area Agency on Aging whether it's offered near you. See Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care.

Other possible sources of help include veterans' programs and your Area Agency on Aging. See Financial Planning and Paying for Care.

How to find respite care

• The ARCH National Respite Locator Service lets you search for local respite, including state programs, adult day centers and services for veterans.
• The Alzheimer's Association's Community Resource Finder lists local programs and services.
• The Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) connects you with your Area Agency on Aging.

Choosing a provider

The Alzheimer's Association suggests asking every person or program about training and qualifications. If you hire someone on your own, interview them thoroughly and check references. Ask whether staff have dementia-specific training.

Plan ahead for emergencies

What would happen if you got sick or had to go to the hospital tomorrow? The Alzheimer's Association recommends:

• Try out providers before you need them, so you're not scrambling in a crisis.
• Talk with trusted family, friends and neighbors about helping in an emergency.
• Keep key information handy: contacts for the person's medical team and a list of all current medicines, with doses and how often they are taken.

Getting past guilt

Many caregivers hesitate. The Alzheimer's Association names common worries—cost, reliability and guilt—and reminds caregivers that seeking help does not make you a failure, and that respite benefits the person with dementia as well.

The NIA notes that many caregivers later say they did too much on their own and wish they had asked for more help. Its tips for asking:

• Start by asking for small things.
• Send a text or email if asking face-to-face feels awkward.
• Match tasks to people's skills and interests.
• When someone offers, practice saying: "Thanks for asking. Here's what you can do."
• Don't take a "no" personally.

If you're not the main caregiver

You can give the primary caregiver a break. The NIA suggests offering to stay with the person one afternoon a week, helping arrange regular respite, or—if you live far away—visiting for a few days so the caregiver can take a vacation. If they say no the first time, ask again later.

Where to get help

• Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900
• Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116
• ARCH National Respite Network: archrespite.org
• Well Spouse Association (for spouses and partners who are caregivers): 800-838-0879

If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted or hopeless, talk with your own doctor. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. See also Caregiving Guide: Where to Start and Choosing Memory Care or a Nursing Home.

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging: What Is Respite Care?
2. Alzheimer's Association: Respite Care
3. CMS: GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model
4. ARCH National Respite Network: National Respite Locator Service

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

• Caregiver Stress and Burnout
• Caregiving Guide: Where to Start
• Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care
• Financial Planning and Paying for Care
• Hospice and End-of-Life Care