.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
How Much Does In-Home Respite Care Cost?
Date Updated: December 12, 2024
Written by:
Jackie Smart is an author and freelance content writer. For the past five years, she has written on numerous subjects, especially senior living, drawing on her own experiences of researching assisted living for an elderly relative. Jackie has since written extensively on the subject, focusing on how older adults can find help accessing services and the resources and programs in place to help them finance their long-term care.
Reviewed by:
Gene Altaffer has a Masters in Gerontology from the University of Southern California and has worked in many avenues along the continuum of long-term care, assisting thousands of clients and their families since 1995. He also sold long-term care insurance from numerous carriers while also assisting families with retirement planning. Gene helps seniors navigate their Medicare plans, ensuring they understand their benefits and options.
In-home respite care costs approximately $30 per hour. However, costs vary depending on the services provided and where you live. Although being a family caregiver can be rewarding, it can negatively impact physical and mental health. Employing in-home respite care brings short-term relief from caregiving responsibilities.
In-Home Respite Care Costs Explained
Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Survey lists the national median cost of in-home care as $5,720 per month for 44 care hours per week. This works out to approximately $1,323 per week and an hourly rate of $30. However, rates vary greatly depending on where you live in the country. For example, the median statewide home care fee in Texas stands at just $23 per hour, while rates in California and Washington come in at $36 and $44 respectively.
Home Health Care
The level of services required also affects the cost of in-home respite care. Home care agencies assist with the activities of daily living and often help with light housekeeping chores, meal preparation and transportation. If your loved one needs any form of medical care, such as wound care or diabetes management, they may benefit from the basic medical services offered by short-term home health care. These agencies charge a slight premium, with an hour of care costing $33, an extra $3 above in-home care rates. However, Medicare may help cover some or all of the additional expenses for services deemed medically necessary.
Why Respite Care Matters
One in five Americans spends an average of 24 hours every week caring for an elderly, chronically ill or disabled relative. These unpaid family members or friends carry out household chores, provide medical care, assist with the activities of daily living and prepare meals, many splitting their time between full-time work, their own family duties and these caregiving duties.
Unfortunately, the ongoing responsibility and burden of looking after another person can lead to caregiver stress, eventually taking its toll on physical and mental health. To prevent conditions such as depression, weight gain and a weakened immune system, family caregivers need regular breaks to take care of their own health and well-being. Respite care brings temporary relief from caring responsibilities, allowing time for caregivers to go on vacation, take care of family affairs or simply rest.