VA Respite Care: How Veteran Caregivers Can Get a Break

Caring for a veteran with serious health conditions is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding work. More than 53 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for a family member or friend, and caregivers of veterans often face additional challenges related to service-connected disabilities, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions unique to military service. Without regular breaks, caregivers are at high risk of burnout, depression, and declining health. The VA's respite care program provides up to 30 days of temporary relief per year so that caregivers can rest, handle personal matters, or simply recharge. This guide explains how VA respite care works, who qualifies, the types of respite available, and how to access it.

What VA Respite Care Is and Why It Matters

Respite care is temporary care provided to a veteran so that the primary caregiver can take time away from caregiving responsibilities. It is not a permanent placement or a sign that the caregiver is unable to provide care. Rather, it is a planned break that helps sustain the caregiver's ability to continue providing care over months and years.

Research consistently shows that caregivers who take regular breaks are less likely to experience burnout, depression, and serious health problems. Caregiver burnout is one of the leading reasons that veterans end up in institutional care earlier than necessary. By providing respite care, the VA helps caregivers stay healthy and keeps veterans at home longer, which is where most veterans prefer to be.

The VA provides up to 30 days of respite care per calendar year. This is a combined total across all types of respite, including in-home care, adult day health care, and short-term institutional stays. In some cases, the VA may approve additional days if the clinical team determines that extended respite is medically necessary.

Types of VA Respite Care

The VA offers three main types of respite care, each suited to different situations and needs. You can use one type or a combination of types, as long as the total does not exceed 30 days per year.

In-home respite care brings a trained aide to the veteran's home to provide supervision and assistance while the caregiver is away. This type of respite is ideal for short breaks, such as running errands, attending appointments, or taking a few hours for personal time. The aide can help the veteran with daily activities, meals, and basic monitoring. In-home respite causes the least disruption to the veteran's routine because they remain in their familiar environment.

Adult day health care respite involves the veteran attending a supervised daytime program at a VA facility or community-based center. These programs provide structured activities, meals, social interaction, and health monitoring during daytime hours. Adult day programs are particularly helpful for veterans with dementia or cognitive decline who benefit from stimulation and socialization. The caregiver has the full day free while the veteran is at the program.

Institutional respite care provides a short-term stay for the veteran at a VA Community Living Center or a VA-contracted community facility. This type of respite is best for longer breaks, such as a vacation, a family event, or a period when the caregiver needs surgery or recovery time. The veteran receives full nursing care and supervision during the stay. Institutional respite typically needs to be arranged in advance, as bed availability may be limited.

Who Is Eligible for VA Respite Care

VA respite care is available to veterans who are enrolled in VA health care and who receive care from a family caregiver or other primary caregiver. There is no specific disability rating required to access respite care. The key criterion is that the veteran has a caregiver who needs temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities.

The veteran's VA care team, including the primary care provider and social worker, will assess whether respite care is appropriate and recommend the type that best fits the veteran's care needs and the caregiver's situation. If the veteran has complex medical needs, the care team will ensure that the respite care setting can safely manage those needs.

Copays for respite care depend on the veteran's VA priority group and financial situation. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, particularly those with higher ratings, often qualify for respite care at no cost. Other veterans may have copay obligations based on the VA's extended care copay schedule. Your VA social worker or financial counselor can clarify your costs before you arrange respite care.

The VA Caregiver Support Program

In addition to respite care, the VA offers a broader Caregiver Support Program that provides education, training, counseling, and other resources for caregivers. The program includes two tiers of support.

The Program of General Caregiver Support Services is available to all caregivers of enrolled veterans, regardless of when the veteran served. It provides education and training on how to care for the veteran's specific conditions, peer support mentoring to connect caregivers with others in similar situations, a telephone support line for guidance and information, and referrals to community resources and support groups.

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, often referred to as PCAFC, provides more extensive support. Originally available only to caregivers of post-9/11 veterans, the program has been expanded under the MISSION Act to include veterans of all eras. PCAFC offers a monthly stipend paid directly to the caregiver, access to health insurance through CHAMPVA if the caregiver does not have other coverage, mental health counseling, caregiver training, and up to 30 days of respite care per year. To qualify for PCAFC, the veteran must have a serious injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, and the caregiver must be providing personal care services.

The VA Caregiver Support Line is available at 1-855-260-3274, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Caregivers can call for information, support, and help navigating VA resources.

Other Resources for Veteran Caregivers

Beyond the VA, there are other programs and organizations that provide support for caregivers of veterans. State and local agencies on aging often offer caregiver support programs, including respite care, support groups, and training. These programs are typically funded through the Older Americans Act and may be available regardless of the care recipient's veteran status.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program, administered by the Administration for Community Living, provides grants to states to fund a range of services for family caregivers, including information services, assistance in gaining access to services, individual counseling, support groups, caregiver training, and respite care. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out what is available in your community.

Nonprofit organizations such as the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, and veteran service organizations like the American Legion and VFW also provide resources, grants, and support for veteran caregivers. Many of these organizations offer online communities, educational materials, and connections to local support services.

Some states have their own respite care programs funded through state appropriations or Medicaid waiver programs. These may provide additional days of respite care beyond what the VA offers or may cover caregivers who do not qualify for VA programs. Check with your state's department of veterans affairs and department of aging to explore all available options.

How to Access VA Respite Care

Arranging VA respite care starts with a conversation with the veteran's VA care team. Your first step is to talk to the veteran's primary care provider or a VA social worker about your need for a break. The care team will evaluate the veteran's condition, determine which type of respite care is appropriate, and coordinate the referral.

For in-home respite, the VA will arrange for a trained home health aide to come to the home during the hours you need coverage. For adult day respite, the veteran will be enrolled in a VA or community adult day health care program. For institutional respite, the VA will arrange a temporary admission to a Community Living Center or a contracted community facility.

Planning ahead is important for all types of respite care but especially for institutional respite, which may require scheduling in advance due to limited bed availability. If you know you will need a break for a family event, a medical procedure, or a vacation, start the process with the VA several weeks or months in advance to ensure a spot is available.

You can also call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 to ask questions and get help navigating the respite care process. The staff on the support line can connect you with your local VA Caregiver Support Coordinator, who serves as your point of contact for all caregiver-related services.

Taking Care of Yourself as a Caregiver

Caregiving is one of the most important and demanding roles a person can take on. If you are caring for a veteran, you are providing a service that benefits not only your loved one but also the broader community. But caregiving is sustainable only if you take care of your own health and well-being along the way.

Caregiver burnout is a real and serious condition. Warning signs include feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried, feeling tired most of the time even after sleeping, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, withdrawing from friends and family, changes in appetite or weight, getting sick more often, and feeling like caregiving is controlling your life. If you recognize these signs in yourself, it is time to seek help.

Using VA respite care regularly, even when you do not feel like you desperately need a break, is one of the best strategies for preventing burnout. Think of respite care as preventive maintenance rather than emergency repair. Regular breaks help you maintain your energy, patience, and emotional resilience so that you can continue providing the best possible care for your veteran.

Connect with other caregivers through support groups, whether in person or online. Talking to people who understand what you are going through can reduce feelings of isolation and provide practical tips for managing caregiving challenges. The VA offers caregiver support groups through its Caregiver Support Program, and many community organizations do as well.

VA respite care is a benefit you have earned through your service to a veteran. Using it is not a sign of weakness or inability. It is a practical, healthy choice that helps both you and the veteran you care for. If you have not yet explored VA respite care, reach out to the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or talk to the veteran's VA care team to get started. The support is there. You just need to take the first step and ask for it.