UPMC Respite Services
Community Respite Services
Financial Assistance
Respite Resources
Accessing Assistance

As a caregiver, the scheduling of time for rest, relaxation, and especially leisure often receives lowest priority. Providing for the needs of a loved one can consume so much time that even the completion of regular duties and responsibilities can prove to be a daunting task. Caregivers need to take a break every now and then to maintain their own physical and emotional health. Respite services provide temporary comfort, supervision, and care for a loved one, so that the caregiver can put aside all thoughts of providing care and focus on himself or herself, the family, and other important responsibilities.

Although family members, friends, and religious organizations may offer assistance, many services exist within the community and vary in their duration and location. Some services offer relief in the home, others ask for the person in need of care to be brought to a more formal care setting (for example: an adult day care or nursing care facility). Assistance may be provided for a couple of hours or a couple of days. Emphasizing the importance of providing temporary relief to caregivers, the Area Agency on Aging offers financial assistance for respite care through the Family Caregiver Support Program.

To help determine your need for respite and to select a respite care provider, see the following resource:

Respite Care Guide (pdf file)
Published by the Alzheimer’s Association

UPMC Respite Services

UPMC Home Health Agencies

UPMC Private Duty Nursing

UPMC Hospice Providers

UPMC Skilled Nursing Facilities

Community Respite Services

State-licensed adult day care facilities often provide respite care for caregivers. To locate an adult day care near you, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

Accessing Assistance with Respite
Contact us for assistance in accessing respite services, or e-mail us your questions.

Many of our documents are available in PDF format. To read PDF files, Adobe Acrobat Reader® software must be installed on your computer. Download Acrobat Reader (free version).