October 9, 2025
The Gaps In Respite Care for Family Caregivers in Canada
Family caregivers living with a care recipient struggle to find time to care for themselves. They often skip their medical appointments, miss out on social opportunities, and exercise less due to their care obligations. That’s why respite care is so critical: by giving caregivers a temporary break from their responsibilities, they can meet their own needs as well.
However, respite care in Canada can be challenging to access. Although there are a range of options, where you live and how much money you have largely determine how much respite care is available to you, while other factors, such as language and cultural nuances, can create additional barriers.
Here’s what respite care looks like in Canada and where there are gaps in the system.
THE TYPES OF RESPITE CARE AVAILABLE IN CANADA
In-Home Respite Care
In-home respite is in high demand due to the preference for care at home as well as the limited spaces in care facilities. This kind of respite is more convenient for caregivers; however, it can be costly and inconsistent. Care workers in these roles get burned out quickly, and many are in training for other healthcare jobs, such as nursing, making high turnover common. There are often wait-lists for in-home respite due to the high demand / low availability.
Day Programs
A wide range of organizations offer day programs on either a drop-in or pre-registered basis. These programs can be helpful in creating social connections for care recipients while providing the caregiver with an affordable respite option. However, these programs are concentrated in areas of dense population. Larger cities have a variety of options, while smaller communities may have none. Additionally, they require the caregiver to transport their care recipient to the facility and typically require that the care recipient be able to manage some basic tasks on their own, such as using the washroom. This means not everyone can access day programs.
Overnight / Temporary Facility-Based Respite
Temporary care in a residential facility is often required as a transition from a hospital stay to the home. Or a caregiver may seek it when they’re ill themselves or need to go away.
When connected to a hospital stay, care is typically coordinated through the hospital. Even in a hospital discharge situation, availability issues are a challenge. In some cases, patients may have to stay in the hospital longer than is necessary or the only available placement may be a significant distance from their home.
Most provinces and territories offer some kind of respite program that supports pre-planned short-term facility-based care. However, eligibility, availability and the costs covered vary significantly. Figuring out how to get short-term residential respite can be confusing, as it may require coordinating with multiple organizations.
Community-Based Respite
Family, friends, and neighbours also provide respite to caregivers in their communities. This kind of care varies vastly depending on individual circumstances. Although some family caregivers may have significant community support, others may have little to none.
BRIDGING THE GAPS IN RESPITE CARE
Respite is critical to caregiver well-being. When caregivers are able to manage their own lives successfully, their overall health and wellness improves and they also provide better care for their loved ones. Here are some ways we could close the gaps in respite care:
Address Issues Driving Staffing Shortages
To address chronic high turnover and staffing shortages, training and compensation for paid care workers need to be reviewed. Today, the need for these workers is outpacing the available workforce.
Connect & Simplify Systems
For many, the complicated process is a barrier to much-needed relief. Care coordination services, which are available in some areas, could be a solution.
More Equitable Coverage
For those families with the lowest incomes, the barriers to accessing respite care are higher and the need is greater. Countries like the UK, Germany, Australia, and Sweden offer various models that create greater equity for family caregivers.
RESPITE IS ESSENTIAL
Family caregivers suffer serious consequences when they don’t have adequate support. In the most demanding care scenarios, it can reduce life expectancy. Connecting the dots between the systems that already exist, expanding residential services, improving worker compensation and improving equity are all key to filling the gaps in respite for Canadian family caregivers.
