Respite & relief options
- Where you are
- What you need
- 3Your guidance
You've made it — here's the guidance for your situation.
Caring for a parent is meaningful work — and it's exhausting. Caregiver burnout is one of the most common and least talked-about challenges families face. Respite care gives the primary caregiver a break while ensuring your parent is still well cared for.
Types of respite care
In-home respite: A paid caregiver comes to the home so the family caregiver can step away Adult day programs: Structured daytime programs with activities, meals, and supervision Short-term residential respite: Your parent stays temporarily at an adult family home or assisted living while you take a longer break Volunteer respite: Some nonprofits and faith communities offer free or low-cost respite support
Washington resources
Washington's Family Caregiver Support Program, offered through local Area Agencies on Aging with DSHS funding, can help eligible caregivers pay for respite. The Alzheimer's Association offers respite resources for families caring for someone with dementia. Local Area Agencies on Aging can connect you with programs in your county.
A note for caregivers
Taking a break is not abandoning your parent. It's what makes it possible to keep showing up. Building respite into your routine before you're depleted is always better than waiting until you're in crisis.
Next step: your local Area Agency on Aging can explain respite programs in your county, and Real Property Planning's Find a Professional page lists independent professionals you can contact directly.
Find a ProfessionalYour next questions
What does Medicare cover after a hospital stay?
Short-term nursing home and rehab stays: the three-day rule, what Medicare pays, and what happens when coverage ends.
Which adult family homes are near us?
Every licensed adult family home in Washington, by city and county, with capacity, specialties and Medicaid contracts.
Adult family home, assisted living or nursing home?
How Washington's care settings differ, and which fits which needs.