Respite care in Ontario: options, costs and how to book
Respite care gives a family caregiver a break while someone else looks after their parent, for a few hours, a weekend or a few weeks. In Ontario it can happen at home, at an adult day program, or during a short stay in a long-term care or retirement home.
By ParentCare Ontario Editorial, published by Otonabee Marketing. Updated November 2, 2026. General information, not medical, legal or financial advice.
Four kinds of respite care
| Option | What it is | Who arranges it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | A personal support worker or nurse comes to the home so the caregiver can go out | Ontario Health atHome, or a private home care agency | Free if Ontario Health atHome approves it; private agencies charge by the hour |
| Adult day program | A day of supervised activities, a meal and company, often with transportation | Referral through Ontario Health atHome; some programs take calls directly | Usually a daily fee |
| Short stay in long-term care | A bed in a long-term care home for up to 60 days at a time and 90 days a year | Ontario Health atHome | The province pays for care; you pay $45.31 a day for room and board |
| Short stay in a retirement home | A furnished suite with meals and the care your parent needs, often booked by the week | Apply directly to the home | Private; set by each home and usually charged by the day or week |
Is respite care covered by OHIP?
Not through OHIP itself, but much of it is publicly funded. Respite arranged by Ontario Health atHome at home is free for people who qualify. In a long-term care short stay, the government pays for nursing and personal care and you pay only the daily room-and-board rate of $45.31. Adult day programs usually charge a modest daily fee, and retirement home stays are private pay.
How to arrange publicly funded respite
- Call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222, or toll-free at 1-833-515-1234. Say you are a caregiver who needs a break.
- Get assessed. A care coordinator looks at your parent's needs and what you are managing. For a long-term care short stay, your parent must be eligible for long-term care and expected to go home afterwards.
- Book early. Short-stay beds are limited, especially in summer and over holidays. Ask as soon as you know your dates.
- Prepare for the stay. Pack medications in their original containers, a medication list, labelled clothing, glasses, hearing aids and anything familiar that helps them settle.
Booking a retirement home short stay
Many retirement homes keep a furnished suite for short stays, trial stays and recovery after hospital. They can often move faster than the public system. Ask each home:
- The daily or weekly price, and what it includes: meals, laundry, medication help, bathing.
- The shortest and longest stay they accept.
- Whether they can manage your parent's care needs, including memory care.
- Whether a short stay can turn into a permanent move if your parent likes it.
See retirement homes that offer respite stays, closest to you first.
Respite while caring for someone with dementia
Adult day programs for people living with dementia, and retirement homes with memory care, are often the easiest respite to arrange. Your local Alzheimer Society can point you to programs nearby.
Support for you
The Ontario Caregiver Organization runs a free helpline, 24 hours a day, at 1-833-416-2273, with peer support and coaching for caregivers. See also caregiver leave, EI benefits and the Canada Caregiver Credit.