Missouri family caregivers can access funded respite care through Consumer Directed Services (CDS), the Aged and Disabled Waiver, and free federal caregiver grants. Those grants flow through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) to 10 Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-235-5503 to find what you qualify for.

Caregiving without breaks is unsustainable. The research is clear: family caregivers who go without regular relief experience higher rates of depression, cardiovascular problems, and burnout than the general population. More practically, caregivers who build in respite keep their loved ones home longer than those who don't. A break isn't abandonment. It is what makes the long haul possible.

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

Why Respite Care Matters for Missouri Caregivers

Missouri has hundreds of thousands of unpaid family caregivers providing daily care without formal support or scheduled relief. The toll is real: elevated rates of anxiety, physical illness, and social isolation compared to non-caregiving peers.

Respite care addresses that directly. In-home respite gives the care recipient companionship and skilled attention while the caregiver rests. Adult day services provide structured programming, meals, and social connection during the day, freeing caregivers to work, sleep, or simply breathe. Short-stay facility respite gives families a longer window for travel or recovery from illness.

None of these options require wealth. Missouri has multiple publicly funded programs for caregivers at any income level.

Funded Respite Care Options in Missouri

1. Consumer Directed Services (CDS)

What it is: Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is Missouri's Medicaid State Plan personal care program, administered through the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). It lets a Medicaid-eligible adult with a physical disability who can self-direct their care hire, train, and manage their own personal care attendant, which can include hours specifically designated for respite. The consumer is the employer; a CDS vendor handles administrative and fiscal functions.

Who can be the attendant? Missouri regulation 19 CSR 15-8.100 defines the CDS attendant as a person other than the consumer's spouse. A legal guardian is also excluded. Adult children, siblings, other relatives, friends, and neighbors are all eligible to be hired and paid.

How to access: Call the Missouri DHSS Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) Home and Community Based Services referral line at 866-835-3505 to request an assessment, or contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Financial eligibility is determined by the Family Support Division (FSD); functional eligibility by DSDS.

Best for: Medicaid-eligible adults with physical disabilities who want to self-direct their respite care and hire a family member (other than a spouse) or trusted person.

2. Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW)

What it is: Missouri's Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) is a 1915(c) Medicaid HCBS waiver administered by DHSS for people age 63 or older who meet a nursing facility level of care. Covered services include homemaker, chore, home-delivered meals, adult day care, and in-home respite. Unlike CDS, the ADW does not include a participant-directed option for hiring family members directly; services are arranged through a case manager.

Respite through the waiver: If your loved one is enrolled in the ADW, ask the case manager to include respite in the care plan. Both in-home respite and adult day are covered waiver services.

How to access: Call the DHSS Division of Senior and Disability Services referral line at 866-835-3505 to initiate an assessment, or see the Missouri DSS Aged and Disabled Waiver page.

Best for: Older adults (63+) not in CDS who need in-home respite arranged through a managed waiver.

3. NFCSP Grants Through Missouri's 10 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 Missouri's Division of Senior and Disability Services to 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging. Each AAA provides in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, 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 the Missouri AAA statewide line at 1-800-235-5503 or use the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. Both connect you to your regional AAA.

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

4. Adult Day Programs

What they are: Adult day and adult day health centers offer structured daytime programming, typically 4 to 8 hours a day, with meals, activities, social engagement, and varying levels of nursing support. For caregivers of people with dementia, consistent adult day attendance often reduces behavioral symptoms and makes sustained home care more manageable.

Finding programs: Missouri DHSS licenses adult day programs statewide. Your regional AAA maintains a local directory. Call 1-800-235-5503 for referrals in your county.

Who pays:

  • NFCSP grants through your AAA can offset adult day costs.
  • ADW covers adult day for eligible waiver members.
  • Long-term care insurance often covers adult day under the home care rider.
  • Private pay rates vary by center.

Best for: Caregivers who need consistent weekday relief and care recipients who benefit from structured activity and peer engagement.

5. VA Respite for Veterans

What it is: Veterans enrolled in VA health care can access respite through their local VA medical center, including in-home aide services, adult day health, and short-term placement in VA Community Living Centers or contracted facilities.

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

How to access: Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, the St. Louis VA Medical Center, or your nearest VA facility.

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

How to Start Respite Care in Missouri

1
Step 1

Call the Missouri AAA statewide line at 1-800-235-5503

This connects you to your regional Area Agency on Aging for NFCSP grants, caregiver counseling, and local program referrals. It is the fastest single step for most families.

2
Step 2

Ask DHSS about CDS if your loved one has Medicaid

If your loved one has Medicaid and a physical disability, call the DHSS Division of Senior and Disability Services referral line at 866-835-3505 to request a Home and Community Based Services assessment. A non-spouse family member can then be hired and paid as the CDS attendant.

3
Step 3

Ask about the Aged and Disabled Waiver if your loved one is 63 or older

Through the same DHSS referral line (866-835-3505), request an assessment for the Aged and Disabled Waiver if your loved one meets a nursing facility level of care, and ask that respite be written into the care plan.

4
Step 4

Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 if your loved one is a veteran

Reach it before other routes. VA respite is arranged through the veteran's local VA medical center.

5
Step 5

Dial 211 for local referrals

The 211 line connects you to local social service referrals and county adult day program directories.

Where to Get Respite Help in Missouri

DHSS Division of Senior and Disability Services Request a Home and Community Based Services assessment, the gateway to Consumer Directed Services and the Aged and Disabled Waiver. 866-835-3505 health.mo.gov/seniors/hcbs/referrals-requests.php
Missouri Area Agencies on Aging (statewide line) Reaches your regional Area Agency on Aging for NFCSP respite grants, caregiver counseling, and adult day program referrals. 1-800-235-5503
VA Caregiver Support Line Reaches a VA Caregiver Support Coordinator for VA respite and the PCAFC benefit for veterans. 1-855-260-3274 www.caregiver.va.gov
Eldercare Locator A national ACL service that routes you to your regional Missouri AAA anywhere in the state. 1-800-677-1116 eldercare.acl.gov/home

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Missouri Medicaid pay for respite care?

Yes. CDS can include respite hours in the authorized personal care plan, and the Aged and Disabled Waiver covers in-home respite and adult day as covered services. A non-spouse family member can be the paid CDS attendant. Talk to DHSS or your regional ADRC to confirm eligibility.,

Can a spouse be the paid respite worker in Missouri?

No. Missouri regulation 19 CSR 15-8.100 explicitly excludes a consumer's spouse from being the CDS attendant. Other relatives, including adult children, siblings, and extended family, can be hired and paid. If the primary caregiver is a spouse, a different family member or trusted friend would need to provide the paid CDS respite shifts.

Is there free respite in Missouri without Medicaid?

Yes. Missouri's 10 Area Agencies on Aging distribute NFCSP funds for caregiver respite with no income test. Call the statewide line at 1-800-235-5503 to reach your county AAA. The program is open to any family caregiver of an older adult or person with dementia.

What is the difference between CDS and the Aged and Disabled Waiver for respite?

CDS is a self-directed State Plan benefit: the consumer hires and manages their own attendant, which can include non-spouse family members, and respite is delivered by that worker. The ADW is a managed waiver where a case manager arranges services; the ADW does not include a self-directed hiring option, so family members are not paid as ADW attendants. CDS is the route for families who want to hire and pay a relative.,

Can the Aged and Disabled Waiver and CDS be used together?

CDS can run alongside other Medicaid services in Missouri, including waiver services. Coordination depends on the specific services authorized in each program and the consumer's functional assessment. A DHSS case manager or ADRC can clarify how services can stack in your situation.,

Learn More

CaregiverRespite Care for Family Caregivers: The 50-State GuideWhat respite care is and how to pay for it in 2026: the main types, free NFCSP grants, Medicaid and VA respite, and a link to every state guide. CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in MissouriHow to get paid to care for a family member in Missouri in 2026: the Consumer Directed Services program, who can be hired, the spouse rule, and VA options. CaregiverCaregiver Burnout: Signs, Stages, and How to Get SupportHow to recognize caregiver burnout, why it happens, and what actually helps, from respite care to evidence-based programs like REACH II and Powerful Tools. VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance in MissouriVA Aid and Attendance in Missouri for 2026: who qualifies, monthly rates up to $2,874, how to apply, and free help from the Missouri Veterans Commission. Care TypesThe Cost of Senior Care in MissouriWhat senior care costs in Missouri in 2026: assisted living about $5,330 a month, a nursing home about $80,893 a year (CareScout 2025). See every setting. CaregiverCaregiver Programs in MissouriEvery caregiver program in Missouri: Consumer Directed Services paid pathways, the Aged and Disabled Waiver, respite, NFCSP grants, VA benefits, and taxes.

Find personalized help navigating respite care options in Missouri 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.