If you're caring for an aging parent or spouse, you already know what burnout feels like. Respite care in Texas gives you a break, whether that's a few hours while someone else steps in at home or a short-term stay at a facility while you recharge. And if money is the barrier, there are programs that can help cover the cost.
This guide covers every respite care option available to Texas families, from Medicaid-funded services to VA benefits, state programs, and community resources.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- Types of Respite Care
- Medicaid Respite Care
- VA Respite Care
- State and Community Programs
- What Respite Care Costs
- How to Find a Provider
- Preparing for Respite
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
Key Takeaways
- Medicaid covers respite care through the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver, including in-home and facility-based respite.
- The VA provides at least 30 days of respite per year for eligible veteran caregivers, at no cost.
- In-home respite runs about $35/hour nationally, and adult day care about $103/day. Texas costs tend to be below those averages.
- Take Time Texas (apps.hhs.texas.gov/taketimetexas) helps caregivers find respite providers near them.
- Area Agencies on Aging (1-800-252-9240) connect caregivers with local respite programs, some with funding available.
Important: Respite care availability varies by location and program. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-252-9240 or the ADRC at 1-855-937-2372 to find out what's available in your area.
Types of Respite Care in Texas
Respite care comes in several forms, and the right one depends on your situation.
In-Home Respite
A trained caregiver comes to your loved one's home for a few hours or a full day while you step away. This is the least disruptive option since your family member stays in familiar surroundings. In-home respite works well for regular breaks (say, every Wednesday afternoon) or when you need to handle errands, go to your own doctor, or just sleep.
Adult Day Care
Your loved one attends a structured program during the day, typically from morning to late afternoon. Adult day centers provide meals, activities, social interaction, and sometimes medical monitoring. This is a good fit for caregivers who work or need consistent daytime coverage. Some Texas Medicaid MCOs cover adult day care through STAR+PLUS.
Facility-Based Respite
Your loved one stays temporarily in an assisted living facility or nursing home, usually for a few days to a few weeks. This option works for planned vacations, family emergencies, or when you need extended time away. Many facilities in Texas accept short-term respite stays, though availability can be limited, so book ahead when possible.
Emergency Respite
When something unexpected comes up (your own hospitalization, a family crisis), some programs offer short-notice respite. Your Area Agency on Aging is usually the fastest path to emergency respite services, though options depend on where you live.
Need help finding respite care near you? Chat with Brevy for a personalized list of options in your area.
Medicaid Respite Care in Texas
If your loved one is on Texas Medicaid through STAR+PLUS with the HCBS waiver, respite care may be a covered benefit.
How It Works
The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver includes respite as one of the available services. Your MCO service coordinator can authorize respite hours as part of your loved one's care plan. The specifics (how many hours, what type) depend on the individual assessment and your MCO's policies.
Respite can be provided in the home or in a facility setting. In-home respite through Medicaid is typically provided by a home care agency in your MCO's network.
Consumer Directed Services
If your family is already using the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option, you can hire a substitute attendant to provide respite while the primary caregiver (you) takes time off. The CDS option gives you control over who provides the care, including other family members (except spouses).
What to Ask Your MCO
Call your MCO's member services line and ask:
- "Is respite care included in my family member's service plan?"
- "How many hours of respite are available per month or per year?"
- "Can I use respite for overnight or multi-day facility stays?"
- "What agencies in the network provide respite services?"
If respite isn't currently in the care plan, request a reassessment. Your service coordinator can add it if the need is documented. Many caregivers don't ask, and their care plans don't include it by default.
VA Respite Care for Veteran Caregivers
The VA offers one of the most generous respite benefits available. Eligible veteran caregivers can receive at least 30 days of respite care per year, at no cost to the veteran.
What's Covered
- Home respite: A substitute caregiver comes to the veteran's home, or the veteran attends an adult day health care program
- Nursing home respite: The veteran stays temporarily in a VA Community Living Center or a community nursing home
Who Qualifies
All enrolled veterans are eligible for VA respite care if they meet clinical criteria and services are available at their local VA. Caregivers enrolled in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) get additional support, including the respite benefit.
How to Access It
Contact the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or talk to the veteran's VA care team. You can also reach out to the Texas Veterans Commission for help connecting with VA services.
Caring for a veteran? Ask Brevy's chatbot about VA caregiver benefits, including respite care and monthly stipends.
State and Community Programs
Beyond Medicaid and VA benefits, several Texas programs help caregivers access respite.
Texas Lifespan Respite Care Program
Administered through HHSC, this program provides respite vouchers to family caregivers who don't qualify for other publicly funded programs. Funding is limited and varies by region. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to check availability.
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Texas's 28 Area Agencies on Aging deliver NFCSP services, which include respite care, caregiver education, support groups, counseling, and help finding local services. The program serves caregivers of adults 60 and older and grandparents raising grandchildren.
To access NFCSP services, call your Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-252-9240.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association operates five chapters across Texas that offer caregiver support programs. Their 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) connects caregivers with local respite resources, and some chapters offer respite grants for families affected by dementia.
Faith-Based and Nonprofit Programs
Many churches, synagogues, and community organizations in Texas offer volunteer-based respite programs. These are harder to find through a single directory. Your best bets:
- Call your local Area Agency on Aging
- Search Take Time Texas
- Dial 2-1-1 for community referrals
What Respite Care Costs in Texas
If you're paying out of pocket, here's what to expect:
| Type | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | ~$24-$35/hour | Texas tends below the ~$35 national average |
| Adult day care | ~$75-$103/day | Varies by center and services included |
| Facility-based (AL) | $150-$250/day | Short-term stays, varies by facility |
| Facility-based (NH) | $167+/day | Based on TX nursing home daily rates |
The costs add up, but they're a fraction of what full-time care costs. A weekly 4-hour respite break at $28/hour runs about $450/month. Compare that to the cost of caregiver burnout, which often leads to more expensive care options down the road.
For families who can't afford private-pay respite, the programs above (Medicaid, VA, NFCSP, Lifespan vouchers) are worth pursuing. And don't overlook family and friends. Sometimes the best respite comes from asking a sibling, neighbor, or church member to sit with your loved one for an afternoon.
How to Find Respite Care in Texas
Take Time Texas
Start at apps.hhs.texas.gov/taketimetexas, an HHSC-operated directory that lists respite providers by service type and location.
ADRC
The Aging and Disability Resource Center covers all 254 Texas counties and connects caregivers with respite providers, education, and support. Call 1-855-937-2372.
ARCH National Respite Network
The ARCH National Respite Locator maintains a database of respite services nationwide, searchable by state and ZIP code.
Key Contact Numbers
| Resource | Phone |
|---|---|
| Area Agencies on Aging | 1-800-252-9240 |
| ADRC | 1-855-937-2372 |
| VA Caregiver Support | 1-855-260-3274 |
| Alzheimer's Association 24/7 | 1-800-272-3900 |
| 2-1-1 Texas | 2-1-1 |
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Start a quick chat with Brevy to find respite care programs you qualify for.
Preparing for Respite Care
Taking a break works better when you prepare. Here's what helps:
Create a care sheet. Write down your loved one's daily routine, medications (names, doses, times), dietary needs, emergency contacts, and any behavioral patterns the substitute caregiver should know. Keep it to one or two pages.
Do a trial run. Before a multi-day break, try a shorter respite session first. This lets your loved one get used to a new caregiver and gives you a chance to see how it goes.
Address the guilt. Most family caregivers feel guilty about taking time for themselves. Here's what we see in practice: caregivers who take regular respite breaks provide better care in the long run. Burning out doesn't help your loved one. Taking a break does.
Plan something for yourself. Don't spend your respite time catching up on chores. Schedule something that recharges you, even if it's just an afternoon alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, through several programs. Medicaid covers respite for STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver members. The VA provides at least 30 days of free respite per year for veteran caregivers. The NFCSP through Area Agencies on Aging offers respite services to caregivers of adults 60+. And the Texas Lifespan Respite Care Program provides vouchers for caregivers who don't qualify for other programs (funding is limited).
There's no single statewide number. Respite hours through STAR+PLUS depend on the individual care plan set by your MCO service coordinator. Ask your coordinator specifically about respite, and request a reassessment if you need more. Many care plans don't include respite unless you ask for it.
Both. Respite care can be scheduled regularly (every week or month) or used on an as-needed basis. Regular respite is actually more effective at preventing caregiver burnout than waiting until you're in crisis. Even a few hours a week makes a difference.
This is common, especially with dementia. Start small: a few hours with someone they already know. Frame it as an activity for them ("someone's coming to visit") rather than as you leaving. Adult day care can be easier to introduce since it's social and structured. Give it time. The first session is usually the hardest.
Next Steps
You don't have to do this alone, and taking a break isn't giving up. Start with one phone call to your local Area Agency on Aging (1-800-252-9240) and ask what respite options exist in your area.
Here's where to go from here:
- Explore all caregiver programs: Our guide to Texas caregiver programs covers paid options, support groups, and more
- Get paid as a caregiver: The CDS guide explains how to get compensated through Medicaid
- Understand Medicaid coverage: Read our Texas Medicaid programs guide to check eligibility
- VA caregiver benefits: Our VA Aid and Attendance guide covers stipends and respite
- Find respite providers: Search Take Time Texas or call the ADRC at 1-855-937-2372
- Find caregiver support near you 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. Medicaid rules vary by state and change frequently. Always verify eligibility and benefits with your state Medicaid agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.