Paying for Respite Care: Finding Funding for Caregiver Relief
Respite care is essential for caregiver wellbeing. Here's how to find and fund the break you need.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Medicaid is the largest funder of respite care for those who qualify
- ✓Veterans and their caregivers have dedicated respite benefits
- ✓The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides local funding
- ✓Free and low-cost options exist through volunteers and faith communities
- ✓Multiple funding sources can be combined
You know you need a break. Every caregiver does. But respite care costs money, and the price can seem prohibitive—especially when you're already managing healthcare expenses. The good news is that multiple funding sources exist, and with some research, many caregivers find ways to afford the relief they need.
Understanding Respite Care Costs
Before exploring funding, understand what respite care typically costs in different settings.
| Type of Respite | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-home aide (non-medical) | $15-30/hour | Higher for specialized skills |
| In-home aide (medical) | $25-45/hour | Licensed nurse or aide |
| Adult day program | $50-150/day | Usually 6-8 hours; meals included |
| Overnight residential | $150-400+/day | Assisted living or nursing facility |
| Respite camp | $100-300/day | Often for specific conditions |
Costs vary significantly by location (urban areas cost more), level of care needed, time of day (overnight often costs more), and whether specialized skills are required.
Government Funding Sources
Medicare
Limited Medicare Coverage
Traditional Medicare does not cover routine respite care. The only exception is for hospice patients—Medicare covers up to 5 consecutive days of inpatient respite to relieve caregivers of patients receiving hospice benefits.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional respite benefits as supplemental benefits. Contact your plan directly to ask about:
- Any respite care benefits included
- Number of hours/days covered annually
- Approved providers and facilities
- Any required pre-authorization
Medicaid
Medicaid is the largest public funder of respite care. Coverage varies by state but is often available through:
HCBS Waivers
Home and Community-Based Services waivers allow states to provide respite as an alternative to institutional care. Most states have waiver programs including respite.
State Plan Benefits
Some states include respite in their regular Medicaid state plan benefits, available to all Medicaid recipients who meet care criteria.
To access Medicaid respite:
- Your parent must be Medicaid-eligible (income and asset requirements)
- Contact your state Medicaid office about waiver programs
- Complete required assessments for level of care
- Work with assigned case manager to arrange services
- Note: Waiver programs often have waiting lists
Veterans Benefits
Veterans have access to some of the most comprehensive respite benefits available.
VA Respite Care Programs
- Standard Respite Care: Up to 30 days per year of respite for enrolled veterans, provided in-home, at adult day centers, or in VA/community facilities.
- Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): For caregivers of post-9/11 veterans with serious injuries; includes respite, stipend, and training.
- Program of General Caregiver Support Services: For caregivers of veterans from all eras; includes respite referrals and peer support.
Contact VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Administered through Area Agencies on Aging, the NFCSP provides:
- Respite care funding or services
- Information about caregiving services
- Assistance accessing services
- Individual counseling and support groups
- Caregiver training
Eligibility generally includes caregivers of people 60+ and grandparents raising grandchildren. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (find via Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116).
Private and Nonprofit Funding
Long-Term Care Insurance
If your parent has long-term care insurance, check whether respite is a covered benefit. Many policies cover:
- In-home respite care
- Adult day services
- Temporary residential care
Review the policy or call the insurer to understand covered services, daily/lifetime maximums, elimination periods, and required documentation.
Disease-Specific Organizations
Many organizations focused on specific conditions offer respite assistance:
Alzheimer's Association
Respite grants in some chapters; care finder services
American Cancer Society
Caregiver resource guides; local program referrals
Parkinson's Foundation
Respite funding; caregiver programs
ALS Association
Equipment loans and respite assistance
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Financial assistance programs
Local disease chapters
Check for your parent's specific condition
Faith-Based Programs
- Many churches, synagogues, and mosques offer caregiver respite programs
- Stephen Ministry and similar programs train lay caregivers
- Some congregations have organized volunteer respite teams
- Ask your or your parent's faith community about available support
Community and Charitable Organizations
- United Way: May fund local respite programs
- Community foundations: Local grants for caregiver support
- Service clubs: Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis may provide assistance
- Local nonprofits: Many communities have caregiver-focused organizations
Free and Low-Cost Options
Money isn't the only way to access respite. Many free or very low-cost options exist.
Volunteer Programs
Types of Volunteer Respite
- ARCH National Respite Locator: Database of respite programs including volunteer options (archrespite.org)
- Senior Companion Program: AmeriCorps-supported volunteers provide companionship
- Faith-based visitors: Trained congregation members provide respite
- Hospice volunteers: If your parent qualifies for hospice, volunteer respite may be available
Family and Friends
Free doesn't mean no help. Consider:
- Creating a respite rotation with siblings
- Asking extended family for specific time commitments
- Letting friends help in ways they've offered
- Trading respite with another caregiver
- Accepting offers of help (and being specific about needs)
Adult Day Programs
Many adult day programs offer:
- Sliding scale fees based on income
- Scholarships or subsidized slots
- Trial periods at reduced cost
- Acceptance of Medicaid where applicable
Respite Cooperatives
Some communities have caregiver cooperatives where members exchange respite time with each other—you provide respite for another caregiver's family member, and they do the same for you.
Combining Multiple Resources
Most caregivers piece together respite from multiple sources. Example:
Sample Respite Plan
- Tuesday & Thursday: Adult day program (Medicaid HCBS waiver)
- Wednesday afternoon: Sister provides coverage
- Saturday morning: Church volunteer program
- Quarterly weekend: NFCSP-funded overnight respite
- Emergency backup: Neighbor available for 2-hour periods
Tips for Maximizing Resources
- Apply for all programs you might qualify for—there's usually no penalty for applying
- Get on waiting lists early, even before you're desperate
- Ask about sliding scale fees even if not advertised
- Check multiple disease-specific organizations
- Revisit options annually—programs and your situation change
- Don't give up after one rejection; try other programs
Tax Benefits for Respite Costs
If you pay for respite out of pocket, you may be able to recover some costs through tax benefits.
Dependent Care Tax Credit
If you pay for care so you (and your spouse) can work, you may qualify for the Dependent Care Tax Credit for care of a qualifying relative who lives with you and can't care for themselves.
Medical Expense Deduction
Respite care may be deductible as a medical expense if:
- Your parent qualifies as your dependent for tax purposes
- Care is medically necessary
- You itemize deductions
- Medical expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income
Consult a tax professional familiar with caregiver issues to maximize your eligible deductions and credits. Keep detailed records of all caregiving-related expenses throughout the year.