Respite

What is respite? Respite is a “short break” for a family caregiver. Any family member, neighbor or friend may be an unpaid caregiver to a person with whom they have a personal relationship, and who has a chronic or disabling condition.

Respite care takes many forms, and care services may include: 

• In-Home Services 
• Recreation 
• Day or Overnight Camps 
• Day Services 
• Education/Classes 
• Retreats  
• 24-hour care 

Each individual provider, organization, and agency offers their own menu of respite services. Some organizations offer short-term, overnight stays in their facilities.

Getting respite is a process: deciding what services are needed, thinking about how to pay for it, and finding respite care providers whose services and qualifications fit the needs of the caregiver and the person getting care.

What type of respite do you need or want?

• Community Living Connections has an online tool to assess caregiving needs and financial support for caregiving. Note: some questions on the tool ask caregivers to answer the question as though the caregiver is actually the person receiving care.
• Pathways to Respite Toolkit: this brochure-style toolkit offers a page of fill-in-the-blank statements to define respite needs, such as “I would like to take a break, but I am concerned that___________” and “If I had some time to myself, I would _____________”.
• Non-respite caregiver help can also give a break, such as hiring someone or finding a volunteer to assist with yard and household chores, errands, and transportation. 

Find free or low-cost respite for:

Adults & Elders

Children & Youth

Creative Options