What is respite care?

Respite care is temporary, short-term care that relieves a family caregiver. It can be in-home visits, an overnight, or a short community stay, and is used for a caregiver break, a vacation, or recovery after a hospital stay.

How much does respite care cost?

In-home respite is billed by the hour like regular home care; a short community stay is charged as a daily rate. Some provincial home care programs fund limited respite hours based on an assessment.

Is respite care covered in Canada?

Some publicly funded home care programs include a limited amount of respite, arranged through your provincial assessment. Beyond that, respite is private-pay. Veterans and certain caregiver programs may also help cover it.

How do I arrange respite care quickly?

In-home respite can often start within days through a home care agency once the plan is set. For a short community stay, call retirement or care homes directly to check availability, or ask an advisor to help.

A trusted break for family caregivers

Respite Care

Respite care provides short-term, flexible support, at home or in a community, giving family caregivers a reliable break while their loved one is well cared for.

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Available as in-home visits, overnight stays, or short facility stays.

Helps prevent caregiver burnout and supports recovery after a hospital stay.

Can often be arranged on short notice.

Respite care is short-term, temporary support that gives a family caregiver a genuine break, whether that is a few hours, an overnight, or a short stay of a week or two. It can happen at home through a home care agency, or as a short stay in a retirement or care community.

Respite is not a luxury; it is what prevents caregiver burnout and keeps the whole arrangement sustainable. Families also use it to recover after their own surgery, to travel, or to trial a community before a permanent move. See the respite care guide for how to arrange it, or explore home care options that include respite.

Typical cost in Canada

$150–$400 /day (illustrative; local rates vary, so request a quote).

Respite Care providers

4.5 average rating26,516 Google reviewsacross 1152 providers

1149 communities

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Sunrise of Erin Mills

4046 Erin Mills Pkwy, Mississauga, ON L5L 2W7, Canada

Starting at

From $3,678/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(166 reviews)

“My family and I toured several retirement homes in the surounding area and we were very impressed with Sunrise Erin Mills. From the moment we arrrived, we were...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Assisted Living, Memory Care

An assisted living and memory care community in Mississauga, Ontario, offering personalized senior living with care services… Read more

Sunrise of Richmond Hill

9800 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0P5, Canada

Starting at

From $5,563/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(89 reviews)

“Sunrise is an amazing retirement community where the staff and management genuinely care about every resident's happiness and health. They are also very...”

Provides: Memory Care, Assisted Living, Respite Care

A senior living community in Richmond Hill, Ontario offering assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays. Read more

Sunrise of Burlington

5401 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7L 6S5, Canada

Starting at

From $5,350/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(88 reviews)

“Rebecca was the most kind hearted individual in the whole residence it warmed me every time i saw her and her kindness filled my heart. whenever i went to take...”

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care

A senior living community in Burlington, Ontario offering assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays in a convenient… Read more

Chartwell Barton Retirement Residence

17290 Leslie St, Newmarket, ON L3Y 3E1, Canada

Starting at

From $3,616/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(66 reviews)

“My mom recently moved to Chartwell Barton and it has been such a positive change for her. It really feels like a warm, homelike place, and we can already see...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Respite Care

A long-standing retirement residence in Newmarket offering independent living for active seniors with access to flexible care… Read more

Chartwell Chateau Cornwall Retirement Residence

41 Amelia St, Cornwall, ON K6H 7E5, Canada

Starting at

From $2,900/mo

Chartwell Chateau Cornwall Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(49 reviews)

“Our father lived at Chateau Cornwall for close to a decade. Fran with her infectious smile is the first one you meet upon entering. What a ray of sunshine! And...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Respite Care

An independent living retirement residence in downtown Cornwall, Ontario, offering bright suites with personalized care… Read more

Chartwell Glacier Ridge Retirement Residence

1261 Jasper Dr, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6Z4, Canada

Starting at

From $2,880/mo

Chartwell Glacier Ridge Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(38 reviews)

“Glacier Ridge is the perfect home for a senior family member. This place became the choice for our family for so many reasons. It's conveniently located in...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An independent living retirement residence located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, offering bright studio, one-, and two-bedroom… Read more

Chartwell Hilldale Retirement Residence

309 Hilldale Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7G 0A2, Canada

Starting at

From $3,927/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(31 reviews)

“We had a comprehensive tour of Hilldale earlier this week, as we begin to explore our options for future needs, and were very impressed by the home and its...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An independent living retirement residence in Thunder Bay, Ontario, located in a scenic country setting with Finnish-inspired… Read more

Chartwell Jackson Creek Retirement Residence

481 Reid St, Peterborough, ON K9H 7R9, Canada

Starting at

From $4,110/mo

Chartwell Jackson Creek Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(31 reviews)

“I just wanted to say that Jackson Creek Retirement Residence is an absolutely beautiful retirement home if your looking for a place for your loved one I highly...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Peterborough located beside a peaceful creek, offering independent living, assisted living,… Read more

Chartwell Meadowbrook Retirement Community

18 Jacobson Dr, Lively, ON P3Y 0B7, Canada, Sudbury, Ontario

Starting at

From $3,370/mo

Chartwell Meadowbrook Retirement Community

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(200 reviews)

“My mother-in-law stayed at meadowbrook for some time, and our experience was really positive. From the first visit, the staff were welcoming and easy to talk...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Assisted Living, Independent Living

A resort-style retirement community in Lively, Greater Sudbury, offering independent living suites, seniors' apartments, and… Read more

Chartwell Queen's Square Retirement Residence

10 Melville St N, Cambridge, ON N1S 1H5, Canada

Starting at

From $3,591/mo

Chartwell Queen's Square Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(111 reviews)

“My Mom is staying at Queen’s Square. Located in the historic picturesque downtown of (Galt) Cambridge. It is lovely, smaller retirement community, beautiful...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A boutique-style retirement residence in downtown Cambridge offering independent living with flexible care support… Read more

Chartwell Rouge Valley Retirement Residence

5958 16th Ave, Markham, ON L3P 8N1, Canada

Starting at

From $4,371/mo

Chartwell Rouge Valley Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(32 reviews)

“Thank you to the kind and caring staff at Chartwell Rouge Valley for the hospitality and the high standard of care afforded to my mother during her recovery...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Respite Care

A retirement residence in Markham that emphasizes cultural inclusivity and personalized support, offering independent… Read more

Chartwell Royal on Gordon Retirement Residence

1691 Gordon St, Guelph, ON N1L 1E1, Canada

Starting at

From $5,509/mo

Chartwell Royal on Gordon Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(76 reviews)

“I would like to sincerely thank Chartwell for giving my son the opportunity to complete his volunteer service at the retirement home. This experience has been...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Guelph, Ontario offering independent living suites and private seniors' townhomes with… Read more

Chartwell Southwind Retirement Residence

1645 Paris St, Greater Sudbury, ON P3E 6L5, Canada

Starting at

From $4,550/mo

Chartwell Southwind Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(78 reviews)

“We have had a fabulous experience with my Mother in Law at Southwind Retirement Residence this past year. The facility is always so clean and smells lovely....”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Sudbury's south end, nestled near Lake Nepahwin with mature forest surroundings. It offers… Read more

Chartwell Terrace on the Square Retirement Residence

100 Caroline St S, Waterloo, ON N2L 1X5, Canada

Starting at

From $3,886/mo

Chartwell Terrace on the Square Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(72 reviews)

“Beautiful home, my mother stayed for respite. She had hip surgery. The staff went over and above to ensure she was welcome and safe while she recovered there.”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Respite Care

An independent living retirement residence located in uptown Waterloo, Ontario, offering flexible care services… Read more

Chartwell Thunder Bay Retirement Residence

770 Arundel St, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8C8, Canada

Starting at

From $3,534/mo

Chartwell Thunder Bay Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(57 reviews)

“I can not say enough about the wonderful people at Chartwell on Arundel Street! Every worker from all departments are so friendly and will do anything for...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in the Port Arthur area of Thunder Bay, offering independent living and seniors townhomes nestled… Read more

Chartwell Wellington Park Retirement Residence

181 Janefield Ave, Guelph, ON N1G 1V2, Canada

Starting at

From $4,636/mo

Chartwell Wellington Park Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(80 reviews)

“The Chartwell team, especially Katie Jager, were extremely welcoming, thorough and professional. From the original inquiry to the day my mother-in-law left...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An established retirement residence in Guelph located in Priory Park, within walking distance of shopping, dining, and… Read more

Choice Homecare

223 Colonnade Rd S Ste 114, Ottawa, ON K2E 7K3, Canada

Starting at

$40–$80/hr

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(60 reviews)

“Our family will be forever grateful for the care provided by Choice Homecare to our elderly Mother through the last 6 months of her life. Choice Homecare took...”

Provides: Home Care, Respite Care, Palliative Care

A nurse-managed in-home care provider serving Ottawa and surrounding areas since 2011. They offer personalized home care for… Read more

Kawartha Heights Retirement Living

2300 Denure Dr, Peterborough, ON K9K 2G3, Canada

Starting at

From $4,000/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(24 reviews)

“The staff at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, have gone above and beyond to help my mum. I am so thankful to have gone with my gut and chosen for my mum to...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement home located in Peterborough's West End offering 105 suites with independent and assisted living options, featuring… Read more

Memory & Company | Respite Hotels & Premium Day Programs | Markham

Suite 110, 100 Renfrew Dr, Markham, ON L3R 9R6, Canada

Starting at

From $365/hr

Memory & Company | Respite Hotels & Premium Day Programs | Markham

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(40 reviews)

“Such a relief to find respite care on short notice. Mom was at the Markham Club for 3 days last summer and we were very happy with the tender loving care she...”

Provides: Respite Care, Memory Care

Markham Club offers memory care for individuals with memory loss, including premium day programs, short-term respite stays, and… Read more

Prima Living Bayview Retirement Residence

435 Dundas St W, Belleville, ON K8P 1B6, Canada

Starting at

$4,532–$6,837/mo

Prima Living Bayview Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(49 reviews)

“I stayed here for a week following surgery and needed 24/7 for a week. What a great experience. The suite was perfect for my needs and had all of the amenities...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Respite Care

A traditional retirement residence in Belleville offering independent senior living with waterfront views along the Bay of… Read more

Find Respite Care Near You

Respite Care: frequently asked questions

What is respite care?: Respite care is temporary, short-term care that relieves a family caregiver. It can be in-home visits, an overnight, or a short community stay, and is used for a caregiver break, a vacation, or recovery after a hospital stay.
How much does respite care cost?: In-home respite is billed by the hour like regular home care; a short community stay is charged as a daily rate. Some provincial home care programs fund limited respite hours based on an assessment.
Is respite care covered in Canada?: Some publicly funded home care programs include a limited amount of respite, arranged through your provincial assessment. Beyond that, respite is private-pay. Veterans and certain caregiver programs may also help cover it.
How do I arrange respite care quickly?: In-home respite can often start within days through a home care agency once the plan is set. For a short community stay, call retirement or care homes directly to check availability, or ask an advisor to help.

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