First, when you step into the caregiver role, you should understand it can get stressful, and if you don’t take care of yourself your job will get even more complicated. Burnout often occurs with stress from caring for a parent later in their life or caring for a spouse later in both your lives. Respite provides care in home, adult day care, or a healthcare facility for hours, days, or weeks. It gives relief to the primary caregiver(s).

In 2021 a home health aide averaged $169/day. Most people prefer it, but even with an agency to help, you will need to find, vet, and schedule the aid. Adult day care costs an average of $78/day, but most people want to stay at home. It also involves transportation which may not preclude it. A healthcare facility runs $260 to $297/day.

Medicare or Medicaid can cover it for terminally ill care recipients in hospice. But before that they don’t.

A long-term care policy may cover all or only a part of the daily cost and typically there is a cap on the total amount.

The third option is to rely on other family members or community resources to provide enough “time away” to stave off and/or recover from burnout. In addition to churches and hospitals, a good place to find both paid and volunteer respite help is the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center.