Respite Care Options for Family Caregivers From the PA Department of Aging
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging, in its PA CareKit guide for caregivers, explains respite care: temporary supervision and support provided to an older adult or person with disabilities so that an informal caregiver can get a short break from their care responsibilities. This part of the guide walks through the different routes to that break rather than enrolling you in one program.
One route is an adult day center. Adult day centers provide a safe and supervised place for older adults and those with conditions like dementia or Parkinson's Disease. They offer personal care, nursing, social services, activities, meals, and emergency care. Some centers also provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other medical services. They help support caregivers by offering an alternative to living in a care facility. Contact an adult day center near you to see if you qualify for services; the Department of Aging keeps a list of centers at pa.gov/agencies/aging/local-resources/adult-day-centers-.
For individuals who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, the LIFE program, which stands for Living Independence for the Elderly, is another option that meets the health and personal needs of the individual. You can locate a LIFE program near you at palifeprograms.org/locate-a-life-program to learn more about cost and services.
The Caregiver Support Program, known as CSP, provides respite opportunities for enrolled caregivers. All eligible caregivers are encouraged to apply. The groups listed are:
- Caregivers 18+ caring for an older adult with Alzheimer's Disease or related disorders
- Caregivers, grandparents or relatives 55+ caring for children under 18
- Caregivers 55+ caring for an adult with a disability
To see if you qualify for CSP, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. The Department of Aging lists the agencies at pa.gov/agencies/aging/local-resources/area-agencies-on-aging-. For grandparents raising grandchildren, childcare and other resources for children provide respite.
In other cases, personal care homes, nursing facilities, hospice services, and direct care workers can provide respite for occasions like vacation and medical procedures.
Because this is a guide to the options rather than a single program with one door, it does not list a phone number, hours or what respite care costs. Ask the adult day center, the LIFE program or your local Area Agency on Aging what services cost and how to start.
Source: pa.gov/agencies/aging/pa-carekit/self-care-resources/resp…, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s words
Respite care is temporary supervision and support provided to an older adult or person with disabilities so that an informal caregiver can get a short break from their care responsibilities. Adult Day Centers provide a safe and supervised place for older adults and those with conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s Disease. They offer personal care, nursing, social services, activities, meals, and emergency care. Some centers also provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy,…
Organization
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from pa.gov/agencies/aging/pa-carekit/self-care-resources/resp…. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.