Respite Care in Palm Beach County: Who Pays for a Caregiver's Break

Someone else takes over care for a few hours, a day or longer. Respite usually takes one of four forms:

In-home respite. An aide or companion comes to the house so the caregiver can leave. Adult day care. The person spends the day at a licensed center. Florida law lists respite as one of the basic services of an adult day care center (Fla. Stat. 429.901). Overnight or short-stay respite. The person stays briefly in a nursing home or another facility, for example while the caregiver has surgery or travels. Emergency respite. Care arranged quickly when the caregiver suddenly can't continue.

The goal isn't permanent placement. It's to let the family keep caring at home for as long as that's safe.

Medicare's only respite benefit is part of hospice. If the hospice team arranges a short inpatient stay to give the caregiver a rest, Medicare covers it (Medicare.gov). Each stay can last up to five consecutive days (42 CFR 418.204(b)). For a sixth day or longer, Medicare pays the hospice only its routine home care rate (42 CFR 418.302), so the family may be billed for those extra days. The stay must be in a certified facility with 24-hour nursing (42 CFR 418.108(b)).

Outside hospice, Original Medicare and Medigap generally don't pay for custodial care at home, in the community or in a nursing home (Medicare.gov). For the rest of the hospice rules, see our hospice, Medicare and Medicaid guide.

Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program (SMMC LTC) is the Medicaid program for home and community care. It covers respite, defined as short-term services when the member's "natural supports" (the unpaid family or friends who usually give care) are absent or need relief, either planned or in an emergency (AHCA LTC Coverage Policy). The plan may provide it at home or in a facility.

The same program covers adult day health care and caregiver training for an unpaid caregiver (AHCA LTC Coverage Policy). It doesn't cover respite for members who already live in a nursing home or ALF. The plan must approve services in the plan of care (Department of Elder Affairs).

Enrollment for home care depends on available funding, and it starts with a screening by the local Aging and Disability Resource Center. Our how to apply section explains the waitlist and the 2026 income and asset limits ($2,982 a month and $2,000 for one person (DCF Appendix A-9)).

Any veteran enrolled in VA health care who has a clinical need may be eligible for respite, though services vary by location (VA). If a community agency, adult day health center or nursing home provides the respite, the veteran must also meet community care eligibility (VA).

The VA describes two types (VA):

Home respite. An aide comes for up to six hours, or the veteran attends adult day care. Each visit counts as one day. Nursing home respite. A stay in a VA Community Living Center or community nursing home, available for 30 days each calendar year.

A veteran can split the 30 days between types, for example 10 short stays of three days each (VA). A copay may apply, depending on service-connected status and finances. The VA social worker can help complete VA Form 10-10EC to work out the amount (VA).

Florida's Department of Elder Affairs funds several caregiver programs. In Palm Beach County, they're reached through the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast helpline, 1-866-684-5885 (AAA PB/TC).

Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI). For adults 18 and older with diagnosed or suspected Alzheimer's or a related disorder, and their caregivers (AAA PB/TC). It offers in-home, adult day, emergency and extended respite of up to 30 days (Department of Elder Affairs). It is funded under Fla. Stat. 430.502(8). Community Care for the Elderly (CCE). For people 60 and older who are functionally impaired. Priority goes to people at risk of nursing home placement (AAA PB/TC). Home Care for the Elderly (HCE). For a caregiver who lives with an elder 60 or older who meets functional and financial criteria (AAA PB/TC). The basic subsidy paid to the caregiver is a standard $160 a month (DOEA HCE Handbook). National Family Caregiver Support Program. Federal Older Americans Act Title III-E money for adults caring for someone 60 or older. It includes respite and caregiver training (Department of Elder Affairs). RELIEF. Trained volunteers give in-home respite for up to four hours at a time, including evenings and weekends (Department of Elder Affairs).

These programs depend on funding and assessments, so ask the helpline which ones have openings.

An adult day center gives the person a protective setting for part of the day, with activities, meals and rest (Fla. Stat. 429.901).

Alzheimer's Community Care, a nonprofit, runs dementia-specific day centers in Boca Raton, Pahokee, Wellington, West Palm Beach and Palm Springs (Alzheimer's Community Care). It scheduled the grand opening of a new center in Lake Park for November 10, 2026 (Alzheimer's Community Care). It describes its support as low- or no-cost. Call (561) 683-2700 (Alzheimer's Community Care).

When no program fits, families pay privately for a home care agency, an adult day center, or a short facility stay. Prices vary, so get written rates.

If the parent's own money pays, the agent under a durable power of attorney can usually write the checks. Keep receipts (POA agent guide). If Medicaid may be needed later, unexplained payments, especially to relatives, can look like gifts. When a family member is the paid respite worker, a written agreement helps. See our personal services contract guide.