Short-term senior care, planned ahead — not just for emergencies

Respite care is a short stay — typically a few days to a few weeks — at a licensed community or board and care home. It's different from an urgent placement: this is usually planned ahead of time, not a crisis. If you're instead facing a discharge deadline this week, see our urgent placement guide instead.

Common reasons families use respite care

• Caregiver relief — family caregivers need real breaks, and a short stay lets that happen without leaving a loved one alone
• Travel — a family trip or work commitment that means no one's available to provide care for a stretch of time
• Post-hospital recovery — a planned short stay to recover strength before returning home, distinct from the crisis version of this same need
• A trial run — testing whether a specific home or level of care is the right fit before committing to a permanent move

How it works

Respite stays are usually available at the same homes offering longer-term placement — assisted living, board and care, and some memory care communities all commonly offer it, though availability varies more than for permanent placement since it depends on which rooms are open short-term.

Cost

Respite pricing is often calculated per day rather than monthly, and can run somewhat higher per day than an equivalent long-term stay given the shorter commitment. Ask us for current rates at homes that fit your timeline.