If you're caring for a loved one in Massachusetts and you're running on empty, you need respite, a planned break, and asking for one isn't giving up. It's how caregivers keep going.
Massachusetts has free and low-cost ways to get coverage so you can rest, work, see your own doctor, or just breathe. This guide explains what respite is, the Family Caregiver Support Program that funds it through your local agency, the types of respite available, and the one number to call to start.
In This Guide
- What respite care is
- The Family Caregiver Support Program
- Types of respite
- Respite through MassHealth
- How to get started
What Respite Care Is
Respite care is simply someone else stepping in so you, the primary caregiver, can step away. That might be a home health aide for an afternoon, a day at an adult day health program, or a short overnight stay for your loved one in a facility while you travel or recover. The point isn't to hand off the person you love; it's to make sure you don't burn out, because a caregiver who never rests can't keep caring well. If you've felt guilty about wanting a break, set that down. Respite exists precisely because the people who designed these programs know caregiving is more than one person can carry alone.
The Family Caregiver Support Program
The main door to respite in Massachusetts is the Family Caregiver Support Program. Funded under the federal Older Americans Act and run through your local Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), it provides unpaid caregivers with respite care, counseling and support groups, training, and help finding your way to other services. It supports caregivers of adults 60 and older (and grandparents or older relatives raising children). It is not a Medicaid program, so you don't have to qualify for MassHealth to use it, which makes it the first thing to ask about.
Types of Respite
Respite isn't one thing; the right form depends on your situation.
- In-home respite: a paid aide comes to the home so you can leave for a few hours or run errands.
- Adult day health programs: your loved one spends the day at a supervised program with activities, meals, and health monitoring, giving you a predictable weekday break.
- Short-term facility respite: an assisted living residence or nursing facility provides a brief overnight stay, useful when you travel, have surgery, or need extended rest.
Your ASAP can help you figure out which fits and what funding is available.
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | A paid aide comes to the home | A few hours off; errands, appointments |
| Adult day health | A supervised daytime program with meals and activities | A predictable weekday break while you work |
| Short-term facility respite | A brief overnight stay in an assisted living residence or nursing facility | Travel, your own surgery, or extended rest |
Respite Through MassHealth
The Family Caregiver Support Program is the unpaid-caregiver door, but if the person you care for has MassHealth, their own benefits can also provide relief. Programs like Adult Foster Care, Group Adult Foster Care, and adult day health build in care and oversight that take weight off you, and MassHealth's home and community-based programs can fund regular in-home help. These are funded through the care recipient's MassHealth eligibility rather than the caregiver-support program, so they work differently, but the practical effect, more hands on deck, is the same. See our guides to caregiving in Massachusetts and how to get paid to care for a family member in Massachusetts.
How to Get Started
The fastest path is one phone call.
- Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636, which connects you to your local ASAP.
- Ask specifically about the Family Caregiver Support Program and respite options.
- If the person you care for has MassHealth, ask the ASAP about MassHealth-funded options too.
- Don't wait until you're at the breaking point; setting up respite before a crisis means it's there when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Caregiver Support Program, run through your local ASAP, funds respite for unpaid caregivers and isn't tied to MassHealth, so for many families it's free or low-cost. The amount and type of respite available vary, so ask your ASAP what you qualify for.
Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 to reach your local Aging Services Access Point, and ask about the Family Caregiver Support Program and respite. If your loved one has MassHealth, ask about those options too.
In-home respite (an aide comes to you), adult day health programs (a supervised daytime program), and short-term facility stays (a brief overnight stay in an assisted living residence or nursing facility).
No. The Family Caregiver Support Program serves unpaid caregivers of adults 60 and older regardless of MassHealth. Separately, if the care recipient has MassHealth, their benefits can provide additional relief.
Very. Almost every caregiver feels it. Respite exists because rest is part of sustainable caregiving, not a failure of it. Taking a planned break helps you keep going and is better for the person you care for, too.
Learn More
- Caregiving in Massachusetts
- How to Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth): the full guide
- Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Causes, and Where to Get Help
Find personalized help arranging respite care in Massachusetts 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.