Florida caregiver respite help
Last checked: May 18, 2026
Respite care means short-term help so a family caregiver can rest, work, go to an appointment, sleep, or handle urgent tasks. In Florida, respite may come through the aging network, Medicaid long-term care, VA health care, adult day care, dementia programs, hospice, or local grants.
Start with Florida’s Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 if the person you care for is an older adult or you are not sure where to begin. Ask for your local Aging and Disability Resource Center, often called an ADRC, and say you need respite or a caregiver assessment.
Quick answer
Florida does have respite options, but there is not one single respite program for every family caregiver. The best first call is usually the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, which can connect you with your local ADRC and Area Agency on Aging.
If the person has Medicaid long-term care, ask the plan care coordinator for respite care, adult day health care, or caregiver training in the care plan. If the person is a Veteran, ask the VA social worker or VA Caregiver Support Team about in-home respite, adult day health respite, or nursing home respite.
Florida warning
Rules can change. Counties, managed care plans, waiver contractors, Area Agencies on Aging, and local providers may use different names for the same kind of help. Always confirm the current rule, wait list, service limits, and papers needed with official Florida sources before you make plans.
Main respite routes in Florida
| Program or route | Who it may help | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| ADRC and Area Agency on Aging | Older adults, families caring for older adults, and caregivers who need local program screening | Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 and ask for your local ADRC |
| National Family Caregiver Support Program | Adult family caregivers helping a person age 60 or older, and some older relatives raising children or caring for adults with disabilities | Ask the ADRC for caregiver support and respite through the local Area Agency on Aging |
| Community Care for the Elderly | Florida residents age 60 or older who are functionally impaired and need services to stay at home | Ask the ADRC for CCE screening, respite, adult day care, homemaker, personal care, and other local services |
| Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative | Adults with probable Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia whose caregiver needs respite | Ask the ADRC about ADI respite, emergency respite, facility-based respite, and dementia support |
| RELIEF volunteer respite | Caregivers of frail, homebound older adults when a trained volunteer match is available | Ask the ADRC or Elder Helpline whether RELIEF is available in your area |
| Florida Medicaid SMMC Long-Term Care | Medicaid members who meet long-term care medical and financial rules | If enrolled, call the plan care coordinator. If not enrolled, ask the ADRC for SMMC LTC screening |
| VA respite | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet clinical need rules and whose local VA offers the service | Call the VA social worker, primary care team, or Caregiver Support Team |
| Adult day care | Adults who need a safe day program, meals, social activities, supervision, or health services during the day | Ask the ADRC, Medicaid plan, VA, or provider about funding and licensed adult day care centers |
| Medicare hospice respite | People who are enrolled in Medicare hospice and whose usual caregiver needs rest | Ask the hospice nurse or social worker for inpatient respite care arranged by the hospice team |
Free and low-cost respite routes in Florida
Respite is not always cash paid to the caregiver. It is often a service paid to a provider. That provider may come to the home, serve the person in an adult day center, or give short-term care in a facility.
The lowest-cost routes usually start with public programs. In Florida, the main public doors are the ADRC, Medicaid long-term care, VA health care, and hospice if the person is already on hospice.
Some programs have wait lists. Some have limited funds. Some only serve certain ages or diagnoses. Ask to be screened even if you think your family may not qualify. Also ask what to do while waiting.
Respite can be paid in different ways
- Aging funds may pay a local respite provider.
- Medicaid long-term care may add respite or adult day health care to a care plan.
- VA may approve respite through VA home and community services.
- Adult day care may be private pay, Medicaid-funded, VA-funded, or supported by a local program.
- Medicare hospice may cover short inpatient respite when hospice rules are met.
For more general background, see Respite Care for Caregivers. If your main question is caregiver pay, also see Can I Get Paid to Be a Caregiver? and the caregiver pay quiz.
Area Agency on Aging route
Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs works with 11 Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies also act as Aging and Disability Resource Centers. The ADRC is meant to be a first access point for older adults, caregivers, and people looking for long-term care resources.
This is the best first call if you do not already have Medicaid long-term care, VA respite, or hospice in place.
What to ask for
- National Family Caregiver Support Program respite.
- Community Care for the Elderly screening.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative respite if dementia is involved.
- RELIEF volunteer respite if available in your area.
- Adult day care options and help finding funding.
- Medicaid SMMC Long-Term Care screening if the person may need nursing home level care at home.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program is funded through the Older Americans Act. In Florida, funds go through Area Agencies on Aging and local providers. Services can include information, help getting services, counseling, caregiver training, support groups, respite care, and some added services.
This program may help adult family members who care for a person age 60 or older. It may also help grandparents or relatives age 55 or older who care for children or for adults with disabilities, based on program rules.
Community Care for the Elderly
Community Care for the Elderly, often called CCE, helps functionally impaired Florida residents age 60 or older stay in the least restrictive setting that fits their needs. CCE may include respite, adult day care, adult day health care, homemaker help, personal care, meals, transportation, and other services.
CCE is not the same as Medicaid. It is run through Florida’s aging network. Funding and openings may vary by area.
Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
The Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, often called ADI, can offer respite for adults with probable Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Florida lists in-home care, facility-based care, emergency respite care, and extended care up to 30 days as possible ADI respite types.
If dementia is part of the problem, say that early in the call. Ask if ADI, a Memory Disorder Clinic, or a dementia-specific adult day program may fit.
RELIEF volunteer respite
RELIEF stands for Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families. It uses screened volunteers to give in-home respite for caregivers of frail, homebound elders. Florida says volunteers may offer companionship for up to four hours at a time, including some evening and weekend times, when a match is available.
Because this is volunteer-based, it may not be open in every place or at every time. Ask your ADRC what is active in your county.
Medicaid respite
Florida Medicaid long-term care is mainly handled through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care, often called SMMC LTC. AHCA runs the Medicaid managed care program. The Department of Elder Affairs handles medical level-of-care screening and wait list steps. The Department of Children and Families handles financial Medicaid eligibility.
SMMC LTC is not the same as regular health Medicaid. It is for people who need long-term services and supports. Florida’s SMMC LTC service list includes respite care, adult day health care, caregiver training, personal care, homemaker, home-delivered meals, transportation to LTC services, and other supports.
Important Medicaid point
Do not assume regular Medicaid will pay for someone to sit with your loved one so you can leave the house. Ask directly about SMMC LTC, respite care, adult day health care, and the person’s plan of care.
If the person is already in a Florida Medicaid LTC plan
Call the plan care coordinator or case manager. Ask for a care plan review. Be clear about the task you can no longer cover safely.
Words to say
“I am the family caregiver. I need a care plan review. I am asking for respite care or adult day health care because I cannot safely provide care without breaks. Please tell me what assessment is needed, what services can be added, and how to appeal if the request is denied.”
If the person is not in SMMC LTC yet
Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 and ask for SMMC LTC screening. Florida says the first step is screening through an ADRC. The screening is usually done by phone with the person and/or caregiver. It gives a priority score and rank for the wait list.
If the person is released from the wait list, CARES staff will assess medical need. DCF will decide financial Medicaid eligibility. If the person is approved, AHCA sends information about choosing a long-term care plan.
For more background, see Medicaid HCBS Waivers Explained. If Medicaid income or assets are a problem, see Medicaid Spend Down and Medicaid Look-Back Period.
If Medicaid says no
Ask for the denial in writing. Ask what rule was used. Ask whether the issue is medical need, financial eligibility, wait list status, plan authorization, or provider availability.
If you disagree with a Medicaid screening result, eligibility decision, or service denial, ask about the fair hearing or appeal steps shown in the notice. Keep the envelope, notice, and any deadlines.
If the person is already in a plan, also file a plan complaint or grievance when needed. The Florida Medicaid managed care website has complaint and fair hearing links.
VA respite
If the person you care for is a Veteran, ask the VA before you pay out of pocket. VA respite may be available for enrolled Veterans who meet clinical need rules and when the service is offered in the local area.
VA lists three formal respite options:
- In-home respite, where a home health agency worker comes to the Veteran’s home.
- Adult day health respite, where the Veteran goes to an adult day health care program.
- Nursing home respite, where the Veteran stays short term in a VA Community Living Center or community nursing home.
VA says nursing home respite is available for a maximum of 30 days per calendar year. VA also says a copay may apply based on service-connected disability status and financial information.
Who to call
- The Veteran’s VA primary care team.
- The VA social worker or case manager.
- The local VA Caregiver Support Team.
- The VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
Words to say
“I am caring for a Veteran at home. I need respite. Can the VA screen for in-home respite, adult day health care, nursing home respite, and caregiver support? Please tell me if VA Form 10-10EC or any other form is needed.”
If the Veteran may also qualify for Aid and Attendance, read VA Aid and Attendance. Aid and Attendance is not the same as respite, but it may help pay for care in some cases.
Adult day care
Adult day care can be respite. It gives the person care and activities during the day while the family caregiver works, rests, or handles other duties.
Florida says adult day care centers provide social and health services and activities for adults in a non-institutional setting for less than 24 hours. FloridaHealthFinder says adult day care centers may offer social activities, self-care training, meals, rest space, and respite care, and that these centers are licensed and surveyed by the State of Florida.
Adult day care may be paid by private pay, Medicaid SMMC LTC, VA adult day health care, CCE, ADI, or another local fund. Ask before you enroll. The same center may have private-pay seats and funded seats.
Questions to ask an adult day care center
- Are you licensed as an adult day care center in Florida?
- Do you accept Medicaid SMMC LTC plans?
- Do you work with VA, CCE, ADI, or Area Agency on Aging funding?
- Do you serve people with dementia, wandering risk, diabetes, incontinence, or mobility needs?
- Is transportation available?
- What happens if the person has a behavior change or medical issue during the day?
- What papers do you need before the first day?
How to ask for respite
Many caregivers ask for “help” and get sent in circles. Use clear words. Say what care tasks are needed. Say what will happen if you do not get a break.
Phone script for the ADRC
“I am a family caregiver in Florida. I need respite care soon. The person I care for is [age] and needs help with [bathing, dressing, meals, toileting, memory, transfers, supervision]. I need to know if we can be screened for caregiver respite, CCE, ADI, RELIEF, adult day care, or Medicaid long-term care. Can you start an intake today?”
Phone script for a Medicaid LTC plan
“I am asking for a care plan review. The current care plan does not give enough caregiver relief. I want to request respite care, adult day health care, or another covered LTC service. Please send me the decision in writing if it is denied.”
Phone script when the first answer is no
“Can you tell me the exact reason? Is it because of eligibility, funding, wait list status, medical need, missing papers, or no provider? What is the next step to appeal, be placed on a wait list, or be referred to another program?”
Documents to gather
- Photo ID for the person needing care.
- Medicaid card, Medicare card, VA card, and insurance cards.
- Proof of Florida address.
- List of diagnoses, medicines, doctors, and hospital stays.
- Notes on daily care needs: bathing, dressing, toileting, meals, transfers, walking, memory, safety, and supervision.
- Fall history, wandering history, ER visits, or recent changes.
- Power of attorney, guardianship papers, health care surrogate papers, or written permission if you speak for the person.
- Medicaid or VA notices, denial letters, appeal letters, or care plan papers.
- Income and asset records if Medicaid financial eligibility may be reviewed.
Use caregiver phone scripts and caregiver checklists to keep calls short and clear. If you need to compare paid care options, use the care cost calculator.
If you need help this week
If the person is safe right now but you are close to a breaking point, make the call anyway. Do not wait until the home is unsafe.
- Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 and ask for urgent caregiver respite options.
- If dementia is involved, ask for ADI emergency respite and dementia-specific adult day care.
- If the person has Medicaid SMMC LTC, call the plan care coordinator and ask for an urgent care plan review.
- If the person is a Veteran, call the VA social worker or Caregiver Support Team and ask for respite screening.
- If the person is on hospice, call the hospice nurse or social worker and ask about Medicare inpatient respite.
- Ask a local adult day care center whether it has a fast start process and what funding it accepts.
When safety cannot wait
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult in Florida, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. For adult reports, press 2. Online reporting is not for emergencies.
What usually goes wrong
- The caregiver asks for “help” but does not ask for respite, adult day care, or a care plan review.
- The family calls one program and stops after the first no.
- The person has Medicaid, but not the long-term care part that covers home and community services.
- The family does not keep denial letters or misses appeal dates.
- The doctor has not documented the need for supervision, dementia care, falls, transfers, or help with daily activities.
- The caregiver does not tell the agency that the care plan is no longer safe.
FAQ
Who should I call first for respite in Florida?
For most older-adult caregiving situations, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 and ask for your local ADRC. If the person is already in a Medicaid LTC plan, call the plan care coordinator too. If the person is a Veteran, call the VA social worker or Caregiver Support Team too.
Can Florida Medicaid pay for respite?
It can in the right program. Florida’s SMMC Long-Term Care program lists respite care and adult day health care as services. The person must meet program rules, and services must be approved in the plan of care.
Does Medicare pay for respite?
Original Medicare does not pay for general in-home respite or adult day care. Medicare hospice can cover short inpatient respite when the person is enrolled in hospice and hospice rules are met. Ask the hospice team to arrange it.
Is adult day care the same as respite?
It can be used as respite. The person receives care during the day while the family caregiver gets time away. Ask how the center is paid and whether it accepts Medicaid LTC, VA, CCE, ADI, or private pay.
What if I am denied?
Ask for the reason in writing. Ask what appeal, fair hearing, grievance, or wait list step applies. Then ask the ADRC, Medicaid plan, VA team, or hospice team for another route.
Related caregiver help
Official sources used
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Aging and Disability Resource Centers
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: National Family Caregiver Support Program
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Community Care for the Elderly
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: RELIEF respite program
- Florida AHCA: Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program
- Florida AHCA: Long-Term Care services list
- Florida AHCA: SMMC LTC recipient FAQs
- Florida AHCA: SMMC LTC screening
- Florida AHCA: CARES assessment of long-term care needs
- Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care member website
- Florida AHCA: Adult Day Care Center
- FloridaHealthFinder: Facility provider definitions
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Respite Care
- VA Caregiver Support Program: respite supports
- VA Caregiver Support Program
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Adult Day Health Care
- Medicare.gov: Hospice care coverage
- Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage
- Florida Department of Children and Families: How to report adult abuse
Disclaimer
This is general information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. For legal or tax questions, talk with a qualified professional in your state.
