Family Care Guide · Pittsburgh, PA

Respite Care in Pittsburgh: Options, Costs & How to Get a Break

If you are caring for a parent or spouse in the Pittsburgh area, respite care gives you scheduled time off while a trained caregiver steps in. Here is how it works, what it costs in Pennsylvania, and where to look for help paying for it.

By the Trinity Home Care team · Updated

A Trinity Home Care caregiver visiting with an older adult at home

What is respite care?

Respite care is short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break. It can be a few hours a week, an overnight, or several days while you travel, work, or recover. In-home respite means a caregiver comes to your loved one's home, so their routine, surroundings, and comfort stay the same.

A respite caregiver can help with companionship, meals, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and, where needed, hands-on personal care such as bathing and dressing.

Why respite matters for Pittsburgh family caregivers

You are not alone. AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving report that 63 million Americans are now family caregivers, nearly 1 in 4 adults, and nearly 1 in 4 of them provide 40 or more hours of care a week. Almost 40% say respite services would help them.[1]

The load is especially heavy for dementia caregivers. In Pennsylvania, 472,000 unpaid caregivers gave an estimated 835 million hours of care to people living with Alzheimer's or other dementias, and about a third (32.5%) report depression.[6]

How much does respite care cost in Pennsylvania?

In-home respite is usually billed by the hour at the same rate as other non-medical home care. The 2025 CareScout (Genworth) Cost of Care Survey puts the Pennsylvania median for a non-medical home care worker at $34 per hour, compared with $35 nationally. Adult day health care in Pennsylvania runs a median of $117 per day.[2]

Rates in a specific neighborhood can be higher or lower than the state median. The most reliable number is a written quote based on your actual schedule. Trinity Home Care provides one after a free in-home assessment.

Does Medicare pay for respite care?

Only in a narrow case. Medicare covers respite as an inpatient stay for people who are enrolled in hospice, and you may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount.[3] Medicare does not pay for ongoing in-home respite from a private-duty home care agency.

Other ways to pay for respite in Pennsylvania

  • PA Caregiver Support Program. Run through your local Area Agency on Aging, it can help with respite and reimburse caregiving costs, up to $600 per month for eligible caregivers.[5] In Allegheny County, start with the county's Area Agency on Aging.
  • VA respite care. The VA states that all enrolled Veterans are eligible for respite care if they meet the clinical criteria, and home respite "pays for a person to come to a Veteran's home."[4] See our veteran care page.
  • Long-term care insurance. Many policies include respite or home care benefits. Check the elimination period and whether a licensed agency is required.
  • Private pay. Most families combine a few hours of respite each week with their own caregiving.

How to set up in-home respite with Trinity Home Care

  1. Call or request a free assessment. We learn your loved one's routine, health needs, and what a "good day" looks like.
  2. Pick a schedule. A standing weekly block, an occasional overnight, or coverage while you travel.
  3. Meet your caregiver. We match on needs and personality, then keep the same caregiver whenever possible.

Learn more about our in-home respite care and the Pittsburgh-area communities we serve, including McCandless, Fox Chapel, and Plum.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between respite care and regular home care?

The care itself is similar. Respite is defined by its purpose: it is scheduled specifically so the primary family caregiver can rest, work, or travel.

Does Medicare cover in-home respite care?

No. Medicare covers respite only as a short inpatient stay for people enrolled in hospice. Ongoing in-home respite is usually paid privately, through long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or Pennsylvania caregiver programs.

How much does respite care cost in Pennsylvania?

The 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey lists a Pennsylvania median of $34 per hour for a non-medical home care worker. Your actual rate depends on the schedule and level of care.

Can I get help paying for respite in Allegheny County?

Possibly. Pennsylvania’s Caregiver Support Program, run by the local Area Agency on Aging, can help with respite and reimburse up to $600 a month for eligible caregivers.

Sources

  1. AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving, New Report Reveals Crisis Point for America’s 63 Million Family Caregivers (2025). Accessed November 2026.
  2. CareScout (Genworth), Cost of Care Survey 2025 — Median Cost Data Tables (2026). Accessed November 2026.
  3. Medicare.gov, Hospice respite care. Accessed November 2026.
  4. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Respite Care (Geriatrics and Extended Care). Accessed November 2026.
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Aging, About the Caregiver Support Program. Accessed November 2026.
  6. Alzheimer’s Association, 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures — Pennsylvania (2026). Accessed November 2026.

This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Program rules and costs change; confirm details with the program or your care team.

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