Georgia family caregivers can access funded respite through Medicaid waiver programs and free NFCSP grants through 12 Area Agencies on Aging. The Georgia Aging Access line at 1-866-552-4464 is the fastest route to finding what you qualify for.

Caregiving without planned breaks is not something you can sustain indefinitely. Research shows that family caregivers who do not access regular respite face higher rates of burnout, physical illness, and depression, and the people they care for more often end up in nursing facilities sooner than families who got relief. Respite is what makes long-term home care possible.

This guide maps every funded respite option in Georgia for 2026.

Why Respite Changes the Outcome

Georgia has hundreds of thousands of unpaid family caregivers. Most are providing care without any formal support network or scheduled relief. The toll accumulates: burnout, physical illness, social isolation, and eventually, placement decisions made under crisis rather than choice. Planned respite changes the trajectory. Even a few hours a week or one week a year buys recovery time that extends how long home care remains viable.

If you need emergency respite today, call 1-866-552-4464 or 211.

Funded Respite Options in Georgia

1. SOURCE and CCSP Medicaid Waiver Respite

What they are: Georgia's SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment) waiver and CCSP (Community Care Services Program), both administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), provide home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible Georgians who need a nursing-facility level of care. Both can authorize in-home respite and adult day health as covered services within the member's care plan.

How to access: Talk to the member's DCH case manager and ask for respite hours to be included in the authorized care plan. Contact DCH or the regional AAA through 1-866-552-4464 to start the eligibility process.

Best for: Families already in SOURCE or CCSP who want scheduled in-home breaks.

2. NFCSP Grants Through Georgia's 12 Area Agencies on Aging

What it is: The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, flows through the Georgia Division of Aging Services to 12 regional Area Agencies on Aging. Each AAA provides in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, individual counseling, and supplemental services.,

Who qualifies: Family caregivers of adults age 60 and older; grandparent and relative caregivers of children under 18; caregivers of any age caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. No income test for NFCSP respite services.

How to access: Call 1-866-552-4464 (Georgia Aging Access statewide line) or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to reach your regional AAA.

Best for: Any Georgia family caregiver, regardless of income. NFCSP is consistently underused statewide.

3. REACH Program and Caregiver Support Coordinators

What it is: The Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services funds the REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health) program and deploys Caregiver Support Coordinators at each AAA. REACH provides evidence-based dementia caregiver education, counseling, and supplemental respite support specifically for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

How to access: Ask your regional AAA (through 1-866-552-4464) about the REACH program or request a Caregiver Support Coordinator.

Best for: Family caregivers of Georgians with dementia who need structured education alongside respite relief.

4. Adult Day Programs

What they are: Adult day programs provide structured daytime care in a community setting, typically 4 to 8 hours per day, with meals, activities, social engagement, and nursing oversight. For caregivers of people with dementia, consistent adult day participation often reduces behavioral symptoms and restores reliable weekday hours.

Finding programs: Your regional AAA maintains a county-level adult day program directory. Call 1-866-552-4464 or 211 for referrals.

Who pays:

  • NFCSP grants through your AAA can offset adult day costs.
  • CCSP and SOURCE cover adult day health services for eligible enrolled members.
  • Long-term care insurance often covers adult day under the HCBS rider.
  • Private pay rates vary; confirm directly with individual centers.

5. VA Respite for Veterans

What it is: Veterans enrolled in VA health care can access respite through the Atlanta VA Medical Center, the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Augusta), and the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (Dublin), including in-home aide services, adult day health, and short-term facility respite.

PCAFC: Primary Family Caregivers in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers receive respite care as part of the benefit package; confirm authorized days and co-pay with the VA Caregiver Support Coordinator.

How to access: Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.

Best for: Families of veterans enrolled in VA health care.

How to Start in Georgia

  1. Call 1-866-552-4464 (Georgia Aging Access). This statewide line connects you to your regional AAA for NFCSP grants, REACH support, and Medicaid waiver referrals.
  2. Talk to the DCH case manager if your loved one is on SOURCE or CCSP. Ask for respite hours to be added to the authorized care plan.
  3. Dial 211 for local adult day program referrals and emergency respite resources.
  4. If your loved one is a veteran, call 1-855-260-3274 before anywhere else.
  5. Ask the AAA about adult day programs. Consistent attendance a few days a week can transform the caregiver's week.

Not sure which Georgia respite program fits your family? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a personalized list based on your loved one's Medicaid enrollment and care needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia Medicaid pay for respite care?

Yes. The SOURCE waiver and Community Care Services Program both can authorize in-home respite and adult day services as covered services within the member's authorized care plan. Ask the DCH case manager to include respite hours in the current plan.

Is there free respite in Georgia without Medicaid?

Yes. Georgia's 12 Area Agencies on Aging distribute NFCSP funds for caregiver respite with no income test. Call 1-866-552-4464 to reach your regional AAA.

What is the REACH program?

REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health) is a Division of Aging Services program offering evidence-based education, counseling, and supplemental respite support specifically for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or a related dementia. Ask your regional AAA about REACH availability through 1-866-552-4464.

How do I find adult day programs in Georgia?

Call 1-866-552-4464 or 211 for local referrals. Your regional AAA maintains a county-level directory of adult day programs.

Learn More

Find personalized help navigating respite care options in Georgia at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.