Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Taking care of a loved one is one of the most generous things a person can do — and one of the most exhausting. Respite care is how you keep doing it without burning out.
What Respite Care Is
Respite care is short-term, professional in-home care that steps in so the regular family caregiver — a spouse, adult child, or other relative — can take a break. It can be a few hours a week so you can run errands or go to your own medical appointments, or longer stretches so you can travel, work, or simply rest.
During respite hours, one of our trained caregivers comes to the home and provides whatever level of support your loved one needs — from companionship and meals to full personal care — following a care plan you help write.
Caregiver burnout is real. Studies consistently show that family caregivers have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and chronic health problems than non-caregivers. Respite isn't a luxury — it's maintenance for the person holding everything together.
Common Reasons Families Use Respite
- Regular weekly breaks — a standing four-hour block every Tuesday to catch up on your own life
- Your own medical appointments — doctor visits, dental cleanings, physical therapy
- Work — coverage while you're at the office or on a shift
- Travel — overnight or multi-day coverage so you can visit family, attend a wedding, or take a vacation
- Emergencies — you're sick, something came up, you need coverage today
- Evening and weekend breaks — so you can see friends, go to a movie, attend church
How Respite Care Works at CVHC
Tell us what your routine looks like
During the free consultation, we'll ask about your loved one's day — meals, medications, mobility, what they enjoy, what tends to go wrong. We build the respite care plan around what you already do, so the transition feels seamless.
Match with the right caregiver
Respite works best when the same caregiver comes back consistently — it's less disruptive for your loved one and lets you truly relax while you're away. We take matching seriously.
Flexible scheduling
Four hours once a week. Eight hours every Saturday. A full weekend once a month. An emergency 48-hour stretch when you're sick. We'll build around whatever your life looks like.
Respite for Dementia and Alzheimer's Caregivers
Caring for someone with dementia is uniquely demanding — the 24/7 supervision, the behavioral changes, the emotional weight. Our caregivers are trained in dementia-specific approaches, so you can actually step away without worrying about how the day will go. Learn more about our dementia care →
Paying for Respite Care
Respite is covered by most major payers for home care in Wisconsin:
- IRIS — most IRIS plans include respite hours; you decide how to use them
- Family Care — respite is a standard benefit; ask your care manager
- VA benefits — respite is available for qualifying veterans and caregivers
- Long-term care insurance — most policies cover respite
- Private pay — simple hourly rates, cancel anytime
Related Services
You Deserve a Break
Let's talk about what respite could look like for your family. Free consultation, no pressure.