What Is Respite Care—and Why So Few Caregivers Use It

Understanding the gap between need and access.

Respite care is designed to give caregivers temporary relief from their responsibilities—whether for a few hours, a day, or several days. It allows caregivers to rest, attend to their own health, or simply experience life outside of caregiving for a moment.

Yet despite widespread need, respite care remains underused.

Many caregivers are unfamiliar with the term itself. Others assume respite care is only for emergencies, institutional settings, or people with financial means. Some hesitate because asking for help feels uncomfortable, or even disloyal to the person they care for.

Structural barriers also play a role. Respite services can be difficult to find, expensive, or poorly aligned with caregivers’ emotional needs. Traditional models often focus on “coverage” rather than restoration—leaving caregivers physically free but emotionally unsupported.

True respite should do more than fill time. It should allow caregivers to rest deeply, feel understood, and reconnect with themselves.

This is where wellness-based respite programs differ. By combining rest, education, and community, caregivers receive not just time off—but meaningful renewal.

Understanding respite care is the first step. Expanding access and redefining what respite can look like is the work ahead.