Respite Care
Planning & Cost Guide
Respite care is temporary relief for primary caregivers — and it is not a luxury. Research consistently demonstrates that regular respite reduces caregiver depression, delays institutional placement, and improves care quality. Our coordination team helps you find the right type of respite, navigate funding sources, and build a sustainable relief schedule.
Understanding Respite Care
Respite care provides planned or emergency temporary relief to family caregivers from the ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual with a chronic illness, disability, or age-related condition. It can range from a few hours of in-home companion care so you can attend a medical appointment or run errands, to a multi-day stay at a residential facility so you can take a genuine vacation, attend to your own health needs, or simply rest.
The benefits of respite are well-documented in caregiver health literature. A landmark study published in The Gerontologist found that caregivers who used respite services regularly experienced a 34% reduction in depression symptoms, a 28% improvement in self-rated physical health, and delayed nursing home placement of their care recipient by an average of 18 months compared to caregivers who did not use respite. The Caregiver Health & Wellness Alliance considers respite care coordination one of our most impactful service lines because it directly addresses the primary driver of caregiver breakdown: sustained caregiving without adequate breaks.
Many caregivers resist using respite because of guilt ("no one can care for them like I can"), distrust of outside providers, cost concerns, or simply not knowing where to start. Our respite coordination team addresses every one of these barriers with personalized matching, provider vetting, gradual introduction protocols, and comprehensive funding navigation.
Types of Respite Care
We coordinate four primary categories of respite care, each suited to different situations, care needs, and caregiver preferences.
In-Home Companion Care
A trained companion visits your home to provide supervision, conversation, meal assistance, light housekeeping, and medication reminders. Ideal for care recipients who are relatively stable but should not be left alone. Minimum 3-hour visits, available 7 days a week including evenings. Average cost in the Portland metro area ranges from $20 to $26 per hour depending on time of day and required certifications.
Avg. $22/hr • 3-hour minimum • 7 days/week
In-Home Personal Care Aide
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide hands-on assistance with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility transfers, and medication administration. Appropriate for care recipients with moderate to significant physical care needs. All personal care aides in our network hold current Oregon CNA certification and have completed dementia-specific training.
Avg. $28/hr • 4-hour minimum • Background checked
Adult Day Health Programs
Structured full-day programs at licensed community facilities offering socialization, therapeutic activities, exercise, nutritious meals, and health monitoring by nursing staff. Many care recipients, especially those with early to mid-stage dementia, thrive in adult day settings because of the stimulation and social engagement. Programs typically operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with transportation available from some providers.
Avg. $85/day • Mon–Fri • Meals & activities included
Overnight & Facility-Based Respite
Short-term stays (1 to 14 nights) at partner assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facilities for planned vacations, caregiver surgery recovery, or emergency situations. Care recipients receive full 24-hour supervised care in a professional residential setting. We maintain agreements with six facilities in the Portland metro area that reserve beds specifically for respite stays, ensuring availability even on short notice.
Avg. $175/night • 1–14 nights • 24-hour care
Estimate Your Monthly Respite Investment
Use our interactive estimator to build a respite plan and understand the associated costs. Remember, multiple funding sources may significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expense.
Respite Care Cost & Hours Estimator
Build a personalized respite plan by selecting your care needs and preferred schedule. This estimator helps you budget for professional relief and explore subsidy programs you may qualify for.
In-Home Personal Care Aide
* Estimates are based on Portland-area average rates. Actual costs may vary by provider, time of day, and care complexity. Oregon Medicaid K-Plan and the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) may offset eligible expenses. Our team can help you navigate funding sources at no cost.
Funding Sources for Respite Care
Many caregivers are unaware that substantial public and private funding exists to offset respite care costs. Our team helps you identify and apply for every program you may qualify for.
Oregon Medicaid K-Plan
Oregon's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver (K-Plan) can fund in-home care hours, adult day health, and residential respite for eligible individuals. Eligibility is based on functional need (requiring assistance with at least two activities of daily living) and income/asset thresholds. CHWA's intake team provides free eligibility screening and application assistance.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Authorized under the Older Americans Act Title III-E, the NFCSP provides respite funding to family caregivers of individuals aged 60 and older, and grandparents raising grandchildren. In Oregon, funds are administered through Area Agencies on Aging. Benefits can include respite vouchers, supplemental services, and caregiver counseling. Our team handles the referral process.
VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance
Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans may qualify for the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which provides a monthly stipend, access to CHAMPVA health insurance for the caregiver, respite care (at least 30 days per year), and mental health counseling. Pre-9/11 veteran caregivers may qualify for the General Caregiver Support Services program.
Oregon Project Independence (OPI)
OPI provides state-funded in-home services for Oregonians aged 60 and older who need assistance to remain living independently but do not qualify for Medicaid. Benefits include personal care, housekeeping, and respite services up to $1,200 per year. Eligibility is based on functional need and income guidelines. CHWA assists with applications and annual redeterminations.
Not sure which programs you qualify for? Our respite coordination team provides free, no-obligation funding navigation. We review your situation and identify every applicable funding source.
Request a Free Respite Consultation →How to Get Started with Respite
Contact Our Team
Call (503) 555-0147 or complete our online intake form. Rachel, our Respite Coordinator, will schedule a 30-minute assessment to understand your care recipient's needs, your schedule, and your preferences. This consultation is always free.
Receive Matched Options
Based on your assessment, we identify 2 to 3 vetted provider options that match your care needs, schedule, and budget. We also screen for funding eligibility and begin applications for any programs that could reduce your cost.
Start Gradually
We recommend a gradual introduction: a short trial visit while you stay home, followed by increasingly longer absences. This builds trust for both you and your care recipient. Our team checks in after each session and adjusts the plan as needed.