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.
1,132 listings across Canada · Free to use, no obligation
Respite Care at a glance
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 ask for a quote.
- 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.
Where are you looking?
Each city page ranks local respite care by Confidence Score, with prices, reviews and a simple way to ask about availability.
Highly rated respite care providers
Chartwell Meadowbrook Retirement Community
80Sudbury
4.9(200)
From $3,370/mo
Sunrise of Erin Mills
80Mississauga
4.6(167)
From $3,678/mo
Chartwell Queen's Square Retirement Residence
80Cambridge
4.9(111)
From $3,591/mo
Chartwell St. Clair Beach Retirement Residence
80Tecumseh
4.8(100)
From $4,946/mo
Chartwell Terrace on the Square Retirement Residence
80Waterloo
4.9(96)
From $3,886/mo
Sunrise of Oakville
80Oakville
4.7(93)
From $5,533/mo
Sunrise of Aurora
80Aurora
4.8(92)
From $4,864/mo
Sunrise of Richmond Hill
80Richmond Hill
4.9(90)
From $5,563/mo
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Questions families ask about respite care
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.