Respite care is the provision of short-term, temporary relief for caregivers who are taking care of family members, typically seniors with a chronic illness such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, or a serious disability who might otherwise require being placed in a long term care facility outside their home.

Respite care programs help to provide planned short-term and time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid caregivers of children with a developmental delay and for seniors with an intellectual disability in order to support and maintain the primary caregiver relationship. Respite care also helps provide a positive experience for the person receiving in home care services such as help with daily activities, dressing, bathing, and taking medication.

Even though many family caregivers take pride in caring for a loved one so that they can age with dignity and remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the family caregiver can be very overwhelming without some support, such as respite care. The break for the family caregiver will typically prove to be beneficial to the overall health of the caregiver.

Respite care has proved to help sustain family caregiver health and wellbeing, avoid or delay assisted living home placements, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect of the senior being taken care of.