Respite provides temporary relief to primary caregivers (a spouse, son, daughter, friend, or relative). Respite is any combination of services provided specifically for giving relief to the family or other caregivers of a dependent person, who lives at home. For Home Care purposes, respite could mean providing relief for time periods ranging from a few hours to a few days. Time periods will depend on the needs of families and other caregivers.

Respite may be provided occasionally, or periodically on a regular basis, to allow primary caregivers time to attend to their own affairs. In-home respite care may provide crisis relief to allow the primary caregivers, and their families, the opportunity to deal with stressful events such as an illness, hospitalization, or a death in the family.

The objectives of respite care are to: