Respite for Caregivers: Why It Matters and Where to Find It
Submitted by Mary Anne Roberto,
The Co-founder of
Always Home Connected
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Taking time to refill your cup is an act of strength — not weakness.
Why Respite Care Isn’t Optional — It’s Essential
If you’re a caregiver, you already know how much heart and effort goes into the role. Whether you’re caring for a parent with dementia, supporting a spouse through a chronic illness, or checking in daily on an aging neighbor, caregiving is deeply meaningful — but also incredibly demanding.
That’s where respite care becomes more than helpful — it becomes vital. Respite is the chance to rest, step away, and restore your energy without guilt. It’s a planned break that gives you time to care for yourself while ensuring your loved one continues to receive safe, compassionate care.
Taking breaks doesn’t mean you’re letting someone down. It means you understand the importance of sustaining yourself, too. Because when caregivers are exhausted, their ability to provide care — and compassion — naturally diminishes. Respite care helps you show up better, not less.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Taking time to refill your cup is an act of strength — not weakness.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care simply means temporary relief for a caregiver. It’s time off from your caregiving duties so you can rest, tend to your own needs, or just take a deep breath. And while that definition might sound straightforward, respite can look different for every family.
Some caregivers prefer in-home respite, where a trained care professional or companion comes to the home and stays with your loved one while you take a break. Others might choose adult day programs, which offer social engagement and structured activities for older adults in a safe environment during the day. There’s also short-term residential care, where your loved one stays overnight in a licensed community, giving you a few days (or even a week) to regroup.
And let’s not forget the importance of informal respite, which might come in the form of a friend or family member stepping in for a few hours. No matter the format, the purpose is the same: to give you space to breathe, rest, and reset.
How to Know When It’s Time for a Break
Many caregivers wait too long before seeking help, often believing they should “power through” no matter how difficult things become. But caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. Ignoring the signs of burnout can lead to serious health consequences for both you and your loved one.
Here are some signs that it may be time to schedule a break:
– You feel emotionally worn out or numb
– You’re experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, frequent illness, or insomnia
– You find yourself becoming impatient, irritable, or overwhelmed by small things
– You’ve pulled away from friends, hobbies, or activities you once enjoyed
– You feel guilty about wanting time to yourself
– You’ve thought, “I just can’t do this much longer”
If any of this sounds familiar, please know you are not alone — and that help exists. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you care deeply enough to ask for support.
Real-Life Respite: What It Looks Like
You don’t have to plan a week-long vacation or leave town to benefit from respite care. In fact, just a few hours away each week can have a significant impact on your well-being. The key is consistency — building in breaks before you reach your limit.
For example, you might enroll your loved one in an adult day enrichment program two days a week. This gives them a change of scenery and social interaction while you catch up on errands, rest, or enjoy a quiet moment to yourself. Or perhaps you arrange for an in-home care provider to visit once a week so you can take a walk, go to a movie, or meet a friend for lunch. Even a rotating schedule with a sibling or neighbor can help ease your load.
Whatever form it takes, respite care gives you the freedom to be more than just a caregiver — to be yourself again, if only for a little while.
How to Access Respite Resources and Support
Navigating the world of caregiving can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are many local and national organizations dedicated to helping families access quality respite care.
Here are some trusted resources to start with:
Elder-Well® Adult Day Program – Santa Monica
Dementia-friendly enrichment, activities, and social care
1529 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 310-8313
https://www.elderwelladultday.com
The Memory Connection
Memory cafés, respite stipends, and caregiver support
https://www.thememoryconnection.org
Los Angeles Department of Aging / AAA
Support and government-funded respite services
https://aging.lacity.org
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline
Call for referrals and support
1-800-272-3900
https://www.alz.org
Give Yourself Permission to Rest
Caregiving is an act of love — but love doesn’t mean sacrificing your health, your identity, or your joy. You deserve care too.
You deserve to laugh without checking the time.
You deserve to sleep a full night.
You deserve moments of peace, clarity, and calm.
Most importantly, you deserve support.
Let this be the reminder you need to take the next step. Ask for help. Schedule a tour. Say yes to the nap, the walk, the quiet moment. The person you’re caring for wants you to be okay — and we want you to be okay too.
About The Author
Mary Anne Roberto is a passionate advocate for individuals experiencing cognitive changes and the caregivers who support them. As a Dementia Care Specialist (C.D.S.), RCFE, CNA, and Certified Positive Approach to Care Consultant, she has dedicated her career to raising awareness about dementia and empowering caregivers with the tools, resources, and compassion needed to navigate daily challenges.
Mary Anne is the Owner and CEO of Elder-Well® Adult Day Program in Santa Monica, California—a dementia-friendly enrichment and activity center providing non-medical, supportive care for older adults. She is also the co-founder of Always Home Connected, an e-commerce platform offering dementia-friendly products, and The Memory Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on delivering resources and support to caregivers, particularly those facing financial hardship or caring for loved ones in underserved communities.
