Virginia has more funded respite care options than most families realize. Medicaid waiver hours through the CCC Plus waiver, free National Family Caregiver Support Program grants through 25 Area Agencies on Aging, and two state respite programs run out of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services all exist. The money is there; most families just don't know where to ask.

If you're providing daily care for a parent, spouse, or adult child in Virginia, you already know how unsustainable that is without breaks. Respite is not a luxury. It is the infrastructure that makes sustained caregiving possible, and this guide maps every funded respite care option in Virginia for 2026.

Why Respite Care Isn't Optional

Caring for someone around the clock takes a measurable toll on the caregiver's own body, not just your mood. Federal data show family caregivers fare worse than non-caregivers on most health measures: nearly 1 in 5 reports fair or poor health, and nearly 2 in 5 live with at least two chronic conditions of their own, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During 2021 and 2022, 20.5% of caregivers reported frequent mental distress, compared with 13.6% of non-caregivers, and lifetime depression among caregivers reached 25.6%. Elderly caregivers who already have a chronic illness and feel caregiving strain carry a 63% higher mortality rate than their non-caregiving peers. Caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia are the most likely of all to have health problems and to be depressed.

The encouraging part is that support works. Structured, evidence-based caregiver-support programs, such as REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health), have been shown in federal and peer-reviewed research to significantly lower caregiver depression and burden. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is direct about it: taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver, and respite care, short-term relief that can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, is how you do it.

If you need emergency respite today, call 1-800-552-3402 or dial 211. If you're planning ahead, read on.

Funded Respite Care Options in Virginia

Virginia stacks several funded respite doors on top of the federal floor. The table below is the quick map; each option is worked in detail beneath it.

Respite door Best for Who pays Front door
CCC Plus waiver respite Enrolled Medicaid waiver members Medicaid CCC Plus health plan care coordinator
NFCSP grants via 25 AAAs Any Virginia family caregiver in an eligible category Older Americans Act (federal) 1-800-552-3402
Respite Care Initiative Caregivers of people 60+ with dementia Virginia state general funds 1-800-552-3402 (ask for it by name)
Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program Unpaid caregivers across the lifespan, dementia included Federal ACL grant 1-800-552-3402 (ask for it by name)
Adult day centers Consistent weekday daytime respite NFCSP, LTC insurance, private pay Regional AAA / VDSS-licensed centers
VA respite (including PCAFC) Families of VA-enrolled veterans VA 1-855-260-3274
Short-term or emergency facility respite Planned multi-day breaks or a sudden crisis Private pay, NFCSP emergency funds 1-800-552-3402 or 211

1. CCC Plus Waiver Respite

What it is: The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver covers respite as a waiver service for enrolled Medicaid members. It can be delivered under either of two models, agency-directed or consumer-directed, and respite is one of the services a member is allowed to self-direct.

Consumer-directed respite: Under the consumer-directed services option, the member hires their own worker, who may be an adult child, sibling, grandchild, niece, nephew, or other eligible relative. A spouse, or a parent or legal guardian of a minor, may be paid only under Virginia's legally responsible individual (LRI) policy, which requires extraordinary care and caps reimbursement at 40 hours per week; confirm the current rules with the care coordinator. See the Virginia paid family caregiver guide for the full worker-eligibility rules.

Eligibility: Medicaid-eligible Virginia residents enrolled in CCC Plus with an approved care plan that includes respite.

How to access: Talk to the member's CCC Plus health plan care coordinator and ask for respite hours to be added to the authorized care plan. If your loved one is not yet enrolled in CCC Plus, contact the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) or your local social services department to begin an eligibility determination.

Best for: Families already in the CCC Plus system who want planned in-home breaks.

2. NFCSP Grants Through Virginia's 25 Area Agencies on Aging

What it is: The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), authorized under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, flows through Virginia's designated State Unit on Aging, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), which works with 25 local Area Agencies on Aging. The program funds five categories of caregiver support, and respite care is one of them; each Area Agency delivers some mix of in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, counseling, and supplemental services.,

Who qualifies: Adult family members caring for someone age 60 or older; caregivers of any age caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia; and older relatives age 55 and up caring for children under 18 or for adults ages 18 to 59 with disabilities. How much respite you can get is set at the state and Area Agency level, not federally, so the hours available and any per-caregiver cap depend on which of the 25 Area Agencies serves your county.,

How to access: Call 1-800-552-3402, the DARS Division for Aging Services toll-free line, or use the federal Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Best for: Any Virginia family caregiver who fits one of the categories above. NFCSP is among the most underused respite resources in the state.

3. Virginia's Two DARS Respite Programs

What they are: Virginia's dementia-caregiver respite runs through two programs at the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and neither one is Medicaid-funded, so you do not need to be on Medicaid to ask about them:

  • The Respite Care Initiative is funded with Virginia state general funds and organized by the Area Agencies on Aging. It provides respite to caregivers of people 60 years of age and older who have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
  • The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) is run by the DARS Division for Aging Services and supported by federal Administration for Community Living grant funding. It reimburses unpaid caregivers of people with disabilities or chronic conditions across the lifespan, dementia included, at $595 per household per year. In 2025, 424 caregivers received respite vouchers. The money is not guaranteed, though: DARS's published voucher application caps funding at $595 per household, says voucher funding continues until June 30, 2026 or until funds are exhausted, and states plainly that because funding is limited, not all eligible applicants will be approved. That date has already passed, so treat the voucher as money to confirm rather than money to count on.

How to access: Call the DARS Division for Aging Services at 1-800-552-3402, or your local Area Agency on Aging, and ask about the Respite Care Initiative and the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program by name. Ask what the current voucher amount is and whether voucher funds are still available for this year. The program runs on competitive federal grant money, so both the amount and the timing move.

Best for: Family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Use the Respite Care Initiative if the person you care for is 60 or older, and the voucher program at any age.

4. Adult Day Centers

What they are: Adult day centers provide structured daytime programming in a community setting, typically several hours per weekday, with meals, activities, social engagement, and nursing oversight appropriate to the program's license. For caregivers of people with dementia, consistent adult day attendance often reduces behavioral symptoms, improves sleep, and hands back reliable weekday hours to the caregiver.

What it costs: Nationally, the median cost of adult day health care is about $95 per day, roughly $24,700 a year at five days a week, per the CareScout (formerly Genworth) 2025 Cost of Care Survey. Virginia rates vary by program and region, so confirm the daily rate directly with each center, and remember that public funding can offset it.

Who pays:

  • NFCSP grants through your Area Agency on Aging can offset adult day costs, because respite under the program can be delivered at home, in adult day care, or in an institutional setting.
  • CCC Plus may cover adult day health care for enrolled waiver members; ask the health plan's care coordinator whether it can be added to the plan of care.
  • Long-term care insurance often covers adult day under the home and community-based services rider.
  • Private pay rates vary by program and region; confirm pricing directly with the center.

Finding programs: The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) licenses adult day centers, and that is the licensing term you will see in Virginia. Medicaid uses "adult day health care" for the waiver service, so expect to hear both names. Your regional Area Agency on Aging keeps a local directory; call 1-800-552-3402 for referrals.

Best for: Caregivers who need consistent weekday respite and care recipients who benefit from socialization and structured programming.

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 (PCAFC) receive at least 30 days of respite care per year as part of the benefit package; confirm the authorized days and any co-pay with your VA Caregiver Support Coordinator.

How to access: Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274, staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, or contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your local VA medical center. Major Virginia VA facilities include the Richmond, Hampton, and Salem VA Medical Centers, plus the Washington DC VA Medical Center serving Northern Virginia.

Best for: Families of veterans enrolled in VA health care, particularly those in PCAFC.

6. Short-Term Facility Respite and Emergency Respite

Short-term facility respite places the care recipient in an assisted living community, memory care unit, or nursing facility for a few days to several weeks. Many Virginia assisted living facilities offer short-stay respite; call facilities in your area for availability and current nightly rates.

Emergency respite for a sudden caregiver crisis is available through Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging using NFCSP funds. Call 1-800-552-3402 or 211 as a first step.

Who pays: Typically private pay, unless NFCSP funds apply or a long-term care insurance policy covers short-term respite stays. If the care recipient is on the CCC Plus waiver, ask the care coordinator whether authorized respite can be delivered this way.

How to Access Respite Care in Virginia

1
Step 1

Call 1-800-552-3402

This DARS Division for Aging Services line connects you to your regional Area Agency on Aging for NFCSP respite, caregiver counseling, and (if your loved one has dementia) the Respite Care Initiative and the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program.

2
Step 2

Talk to the CCC Plus health plan's care coordinator

if your loved one is enrolled in CCC Plus, and ask to have respite hours added to the authorized care plan.

3
Step 3

Dial 211

for local resource referrals, including adult day programs and emergency respite.

4
Step 4

If your loved one is a veteran,

call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 before anywhere else.

5
Step 5

Ask the Area Agency on Aging about adult day programs

in your county. Consistent part-time adult day attendance can transform the caregiving week.

Your next step Call the DARS Division for Aging Services at 1-800-552-3402 to reach your regional Area Agency on Aging and ask about NFCSP respite, adult day vouchers, the Respite Care Initiative, and the Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Virginia Medicaid pay for respite care?

Yes. The CCC Plus waiver covers respite as a waiver service for enrolled members, delivered either agency-directed or consumer-directed. Ask the CCC Plus health plan's care coordinator to include respite hours in the authorized care plan.

Is there free respite care in Virginia without Medicaid?

Yes. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) funds caregiver respite through Virginia's 25 Area Agencies on Aging, and Virginia's own Respite Care Initiative is paid for with state general funds rather than Medicaid. Call 1-800-552-3402 to reach your regional Area Agency on Aging.,

What dementia respite programs does Virginia run?

Two, and neither is Medicaid-funded. The Respite Care Initiative, funded with state general funds and organized by the Area Agencies on Aging, serves caregivers of people 60 and older who have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program, run by the DARS Division for Aging Services on federal Administration for Community Living grant funding, reimburses unpaid caregivers across the lifespan, dementia included, at $595 per household per year. Voucher funding is limited: DARS's published application runs it only until June 30, 2026 or until funds are exhausted, and not all eligible applicants are approved, so confirm that vouchers are still being funded before you count on one. Call 1-800-552-3402 and ask for each by name.

Can a family member be hired as the CCC Plus respite worker?

Under the consumer-directed option, an adult child or other eligible relative can be hired as the paid worker, including for respite hours. A spouse may be eligible only under the legally responsible individual (LRI) policy, which requires extraordinary care and caps pay at 40 hours per week; confirm the current requirements with the care coordinator. The full rules are covered in the Virginia paid family caregiver guide.

Does Medicare cover respite care in Virginia?

Not as a standalone benefit. Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care, and it covers respite only within hospice care for those who qualify. One newer exception: under the CMS GUIDE Model, participating dementia-care providers can be reimbursed up to $2,500 per year for respite. For most Virginia families, respite funding comes from Medicaid, NFCSP, Virginia's two DARS respite programs, the VA, or private pay.

How do I find adult day programs near me in Virginia?

Call 1-800-552-3402 to reach your regional Area Agency on Aging, which maintains a local directory. You can also dial 211 for local referrals. VDSS is the agency that licenses adult day centers in Virginia.

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 VirginiaHow to get paid to care for a family member in Virginia in 2026: CCC Plus consumer direction, the LRI spouse-pay rule, DD waivers, and VA caregiver 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 BenefitsAid and Attendance Benefits in VirginiaVA Aid and Attendance in Virginia for 2026: who qualifies, monthly rates up to $2,874, how to apply, and free help from Virginia veterans services. Care TypesThe Cost of Senior Care in VirginiaWhat senior care costs in Virginia in 2026: assisted living about $6,944 a month, a nursing home about $123,005 a year. See every setting and how to pay. CaregiverCaregiver Programs in VirginiaEvery caregiver program in Virginia: consumer-directed pay (spouses now allowed), CCC Plus respite, NFCSP grants, VA benefits, and taxes explained for 2026.

Find personalized help navigating respite care options in Virginia 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.