Over 63 million Americans are juggling careers, family obligations, and caregiving responsibilities for an aging family member. On average, family caregivers spend about 27 hours a week providing care, though many devote far more time each week. The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report found that on average, family caregivers spend about 27 hours a week providing care, with 57% of caregivers now in high-intensity roles.
Support is Available, And It's OK to Get Help With Caregiving Responsibilities
Being a caregiver for an aging family member can be both profoundly meaningful and overwhelming. The role can bring deep connection and purpose, while also straining finances, careers, physical health, and emotional well-being. Caregivers frequently report stress, isolation, and disrupted sleep, yet also a sense of love and legacy. Support, respite, and community resources can make a real difference in sustaining caregivers. 
Caregivers Need Rest: Respite Care Delivers
If you're not familiar with "respite care", you're not alone. Respite simply means taking a break, or a breather, from doing something difficult. Respite care is a caregiving approach that ensures your family member is safe and cared for, while you take a break. 
Options for Respite Care:
**Adult Day Programs:****** Think of these as drop-in care for your loved one. Staff provide guided activities, meals, and care support. And participants enjoy social time with their peers. Typically available during normal business hours, adult day programs offer flexible care options either daily, or on an as-needed basis. 
The National Adult Day Services Association reports that reliance on adult day programs is on the rise, with over 260,000 people using adult day programs in the US. And it's not just the care recipient who benefits from social interaction and activities. The caregivers benefit, too. The Daily Stress and Health (DaSH) Study found that on days caregivers used adult day services, they had lower exposure to care-related stressors, lower negative affect, higher positive affect, and reduced anger. A Penn State / Zarit study found that after three months of adult day services use, caregivers scored significantly lower on overload, strain, depression, and anger than a control group, with effects persisting at one year.
**In-Home Care**: Many families rely on private, paid caregivers to provide support in the home. This is another flexible option, and can typically be scheduled for a few hours a week, up to 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. In-home caregivers can help with household tasks, in addition to providing direct care. This help with laundry, housekeeping, meal prep, and even transportation can go a long way to help reduce caregiver stress and burnout. 
Short-Term Stays in **Assisted Living**: A less-known option for respite care is a short-term stay in assisted living. This is a great option for caregivers who need several days' break from their duties. Maybe you want to take a vacation, do some projects around the house, or you just need to breathe and relax. An assisted living community provides your loved one with their own apartment, 3 meals/day, a wide range of activities, and help with their care needs. Think of it as a cruise ship - on land, with 24/7 care! 
Whatever options you choose, be intentional about giving yourself a break from caregiving duties. Regularly scheduled breaks can reduce stress, while giving you time to recharge.