Respite Care
Respite care is temporary relief for primary caregivers. Someone else looks after a family member with a disability so caregivers can rest, run errands, or simply take a break. It is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Caregiver burnout is real and it destroys families. Most provinces fund respite care and most families don't know.
Types of Respite
- In-home respite — A trained worker comes to the home (4–12 hours)
- Out-of-home respite — The family member stays at a respite facility (overnight to 2 weeks)
- Day programs — Structured day program attendance (4–8 hours)
- Host family respite — A trained host family provides care (weekend to 1 week)
- Emergency respite — Immediate placement when a caregiver is in crisis or hospitalized
- Informal/flexible — Funding to hire a chosen respite worker (neighbour, family friend, PSW)
Provincial Respite Programs
| Province | Program | Details | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| ON | Special Services at Home (SSAH) | Up to $3,000–$5,400/year for respite workers | Apply through MCCSS regional office |
| ON | Passport Program (adults with developmental disability) | Up to $5,520/year | Apply through Developmental Services Ontario |
| ON | Ontario Autism Program — Caregiver Mediated Supports | Respite included in family supports | Through OAP |
| AB | Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) | Individualized respite funding | Apply through FSCD worker |
| AB | PDD Community Access (adults) | Respite as part of individual plan | Through PDD office |
| BC | At Home Program — Respite | Funded respite hours for eligible children | Through CYSN social worker |
| BC | CLBC (adults) | Respite as part of individual support plan | Through CLBC facilitator |
| SK | Cognitive Disabilities Strategy | Respite funding included | Through regional office |
| MB | Children's disABILITY Services | Funded respite | Through intake worker |
| MB | Supported Living (adults) | Respite included | Through Community Living disABILITY Services |
| QC | CIUSSS / CLSC network | Respite available through local health network | Contact local CLSC |
| NB | Family Enhancement Services | Respite funding | Through Social Development |
| NS | Direct Family Support / Flex Individualized Funding | Respite and flexible funding for families | Through Disability Support Program |
| PE | AccessAbility Supports | Respite included | Through Social Development |
| NL | Direct Home Services | Respite hours | Through regional health authority |
| NT/NU/YT | Territorial social services | Limited respite, case-by-case | Contact territorial social services |
Additional Respite Sources
- Easter Seals Canada — respite programs in several provinces
- Safehaven Project for Community Living (Ontario) — residential respite for complex needs
- Ronald McDonald House — respite for families with children in hospital
- Children's treatment centres — many offer respite programs
- Faith communities — some churches, mosques, and synagogues run respite ministries
- Service clubs — Rotary, Lions, Kinsmen sometimes fund respite
What Families Should Know
- Taking a break does not mean loving a family member less. Respite is essential for sustainable caregiving.
- Most provincial respite has a waitlist — apply early, not during a crisis.
- Emergency respite exists for when a caregiver is hospitalized, experiences a death in the family, or is in crisis.
- Flexible respite funding often allows hiring someone familiar — a neighbour, family friend, or university student.
- Respite costs are eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit if paid privately. Keep all receipts.
- Some respite programs have age cutoffs — plan the transition to adult respite before aging out.
More Family Support
Sibling Support
Siblings of people with disabilities are often the most overlooked members of the family.
Parent Support Programs
Connect with other parents who understand. Provincial networks, dad-specific support, and couples resources.
Equipment & Devices
Free lending libraries, provincial assistive device programs, and funding sources for equipment.
Camps & Recreation
Summer camps, adaptive sports, and year-round recreation programs across Canada.
Future Planning
Henson Trusts, wills, guardianship, Letter of Intent — planning for when caregivers can no longer provide care.
Companion & Befriending Programs
Volunteer-based programs that provide social connection and friendship for people with disabilities.
Know of a service we should list?
This directory grows because people in the community help us find what we've missed. Let us know about organizations, programs, or services across Canada.