Family Transition LinkRespite Care in Southwest Ohio: How Family Caregivers Get a Break
In-home respite, adult day programs, and short-term stays — what each costs and how to find help locally.
Types of respite
In-home respite
A trained aide comes to the home for a few hours or overnight. Booked through home care agencies.
Adult day programs
Supervised activities, meals and sometimes nursing during the day. Ohio's 2024 median cost was $21,580 a year for adult day care.
Short-term residential stays
Many assisted living communities and nursing homes offer furnished respite suites for a few days to several weeks — also a low-pressure way to "try out" senior living.
Who pays
- Private pay or long-term care insurance
- Ohio's PASSPORT waiver includes adult day and out-of-home respite for eligible adults 60+
- VA offers respite for enrolled veterans
- Medicare hospice covers short inpatient respite for hospice patients
Getting started
- Decide what kind of break you need: hours, days, or weeks.
- Contact your Area Agency on Aging — in the Cincinnati area, the Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025.
- Find home care agencies and communities in our directory.
If you're running on empty, read our caregiver burnout guide.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should family caregivers use respite?
- Regular breaks — even a few hours weekly — reduce burnout. Plan respite before you reach exhaustion.
- Does Medicare pay for respite care?
- Only for people on hospice, who can receive up to five days of inpatient respite at a time.
- Can respite care be a trial for assisted living?
- Yes. A short respite stay lets your loved one experience a community without a long-term commitment.
Sources
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