Respite Care Costs

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is the term used to describe a short-term break for caregivers. This temporary relief can provide time for primary caregivers to rest and take care of themselves. Caregivers also can use the time to run errands, deal with work, and attend to their families.

The respite may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks congruently. It can occur weekly or monthly, too. You can plan for respite care in advance or turn to it in a crisis. Respite care can be given at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day care center.1

Respite Care Costs in 2024

Average Respite Care Costs

Because the term “respite care” covers various services, families need to investigate the going rates in their cities and towns based on the services they require for their loved ones. Specific providers and agencies may charge varying rates.

For example, some families may need help only with household chores and tasks that loved ones don’t have time to provide, while others may need to consider skilled nursing care for older adults who have serious medical conditions. Each family’s situation is unique, but the national data below can give you a general idea of expected costs.

Daily Respite Care Costs

Short-term services like adult day care, which provide social activities, peer support, and recreation, are the most affordable when it comes to getting respite care outside the home. These services are usually available on-demand. That means families can use them as needed rather than signing up for a monthly or annual service. Many families pay hourly.

The following costs are based on Genworth’s Cost of Care data.2

At Adult Day Care and Assisted Living Facilities

The estimated median cost for adult day health care in 20224 is $98 per day in the U.S., which would typically including one workday. Costs are highest in North Dakota ($185 per day) and lowest in Alabama ($46 per day).

Assisted living facilities are the next most affordable (for the average person, depending on their medical and physical needs), though costs may vary related to respite care services. Certain facilities may charge extra for temporary assisted-living visits, while others may offer discounts for agreeing to a longer stay.

The median daily cost for an assisted living facility in the U.S. is $181, up from 2021 ($148). Again, costs for these facilities range quite a bit from state to state, from a low of $164 in Missouri to a high of $250 in New Jersey.

Depending on the individual’s needs, home health care can be an expensive respite care option, but families that can get creative may make the most of this paid help.

For In-Home Care

In-home care is a broad category that includes homemaker services like shopping and laundry, plus personal care services and medical care. Costs for any type of in-home care depend on the needs of the individual and the number of hours they require care per day or week.

Regarding respite care, in-home care is a flexible option for families, as caregivers can choose to hire professionals only for certain duties. Generally, home care aides make less than home health aides, though, in many states, their hourly wages are about equal. Taking both into account, for the average U.S. family, getting respite care with a home health aide costs $33.99 per hour, or about $339.90 for 10 hours of care weekly.

Monthly Respite Care Cost

Assuming you hire one of the above services every month, a home health aide will cost $6,481, adult day care costs $2,120, and assisted living costs $5,511 per month.

Monthly respite care costs can be calculated by multiplying the number of days in the month against the daily cost of care figure. Remember that respite care is not meant to provide long-term caregiving services. By its nature, respite care tends to run for a few hours or days at a time.

Annual Respite Care Cost

For caregivers who need respite care occasionally to help a senior in pretty good health, the costs may be somewhat affordable. Assuming the family caregiver needs the help of a homemaker for just three hours per day for one day per week, the cost would only be $4,449.60 annually.

When you consider the alternatives, including assisted living and nursing home care (costs between $66,126 and $120,304 annually), in-home services may be a more financially accessible option. And for older adults who don’t have extensive needs, adult day health care a few days a week could still be cost-effective at $25,441 per year.

How to Pay for Respite Care Costs

Respite care can be charged by the hour or by the number of days the services are provided. The costs are typically not covered by insurance plans. Some long-term care insurance plans may cover some or all of the costs. The funds to cover the cost of most respite care (except for adult day care) usually come from personal savings.

Does Medicare Cover Respite Care Costs?

Medicare coverage for respite care is usually associated with hospice care; therefore, an individual must meet the requirements for Medicare-covered hospice care to receive respite care. For those under hospice care, Medicare Part A may cover temporary respite care (you may be responsible for five percent of the Medicare-approved inpatient respite care cost) in an approved facility for up to five days on an occasional basis. There is no limit to the number of times you can use this service.

Does Medicaid Cover Respite Care Costs?

Because Medicaid provides each state considerable latitude when designing and implementing its coverage options, each state will administer the program differently.

For those who qualify, Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) may cover the cost of respite care. Unlike Medicare, PACE is not limited to hospice care scenarios. To see if your state participates in the PACE program, click here. Eligible recipients should also investigate receiving respite care through waivers under Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Care Services (HCBS) waiver program.

Additional Ways to Pay for Respite Care Costs

The following agencies may be able to provide funding or help you find funding to pay for respite care.

• ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center have created a compilation of state funding information for caregivers.
• 2-1-1 is a free, confidential service that helps people locate the local resources and funding they need. In times of crisis, when respite care is needed immediately, they may be able to help since they can be contacted 24/7.
• By combining the efforts of the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) help streamline access to care options, including respite care.
• Some states may run voucher programs to pay for respite care that provide a set amount of money each quarter. Do an internet search on “respite voucher programs in (your state)” to find available programs. Note that vouchers must be applied for every quarter and are often on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, receiving vouchers may mean that you can’t qualify for other programs to receive funding.

You may be able to take advantage of several funding sources, but it will take some effort to determine what you qualify for. Other sources may include long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits, and tax credits. Caregiver support groups may also be able to point you in the direction of local funding sources.

If, after applying for a government-funded program, your application is denied, consider appealing the decision. But the appeal must be made quickly — within 10 days of receipt of the denial letter.

Are Respite Care Costs Tax Deductible?

As mentioned above, adult day care can be tax deductible. Usually, only the cost of actual medical care in a facility is tax deductible as a medical expense, not the cost of meals and lodging. Check the IRS Publication 502 to determine what is and is not deductible.

Why is Respite Care Needed?

According to AARP, “38 million Americans spent 36 billion hours caregiving for adults with chronic, disabling, or very serious health conditions.” While it’s rewarding to be there for those you care deeply about, the stress and negative impact of helping loved ones day in and day out can take a major toll on those providing this care.3

Where to Find Respite Care

Finding the right respite care provider for your situation may take trial and error, so keep trying until you find what works for you. You can use caregiver agencies, such as Home Instead and Visiting Angels. These are national agencies, but many smaller agencies are located in cities and towns across the country. If you choose an agency, you may have to try several until you find the right one.

Begin by using our directory which provides details on more than 75,000 senior care options, including respite care in your area. Use the search function to find the option that best meets your needs and criteria.

If you can’t find what you need in our extensive directory, you can turn to other sources. Insurance companies and health care providers can often recommend respite care providers in your area. The following agencies can also assist you in searching for the right respite care provider for your situation.

• ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center has a national service locator to assist in locating services in your community.
• Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that helps locate services related to eldercare, including respite care.
• The Area Agency on Aging can help locate eldercare services and aging resources in your area.
• National Adult Day Services Association includes adult day center providers, state associations of providers, corporations, educators, students, retired workers, and others.

Other Resources for Respite Care

Other resources concerning respite care that you may find helpful include:

• The Senior Companions organization matches volunteers (ages 55 and above) with seniors who need assistance.
• Interfaith Caregivers, a United Way, faith-based organization, provides respite care in many communities. You can also find more resources through the United Way Caregivers page.
• The Well Spouse Association is a membership organization that providing peer support and education concerning the special challenges and unique issues “well” spouses face every day.

Enabling your loved one to be cared for and supervised while you recharge or get some relief to tend to personal needs can be vital. Unlike other care services like long-term care or in-home care, respite care is usually for a limited time. It’s a complement to ongoing care that can be very beneficial to both the caregiver and the care recipient.