Respite care is one of the most valuable — and most underused — supports available to New Jersey families. It exists for one straightforward reason: family caregivers need planned time away, and the person they’re caring for deserves quality support during that time. Here’s what respite care actually looks like in practice.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is short-term, temporary care provided so a regular family caregiver can take a break — whether that’s a few hours, an overnight stay, or a longer stretch of time. It can be planned in advance for a specific need (a family event, a medical appointment of their own, or simply rest) or arranged as an occasional, recurring source of relief.
Who Uses Respite Care?
- Family caregivers supporting an aging parent or spouse
- Parents and family members caring for a child or adult with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Families managing a loved one’s chronic illness or disability at home
- Anyone providing consistent, hands-on care who needs planned time to rest, work, or attend to their own responsibilities
How Respite Care Is Typically Delivered
- In-home respite — a trained caregiver, such as a Personal Care Assistant or Direct Support Professional, comes to the home to provide care while the regular caregiver is away
- Scheduled or occasional use — some families use respite regularly (a set day each week), while others use it situationally, around specific events or needs
- Overnight or extended respite, in some cases, for longer breaks
How Respite Care Is Funded in New Jersey
Depending on the individual’s situation, respite may be funded through:
- NJ DDD Supports Program budgets, for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as outlined in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
- Medicaid managed care/MLTSS, in some cases, for eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities
- Private pay, for families who want respite support outside of a funded program
A Support Coordinator or care manager can help clarify what’s available for a specific situation.
Why Respite Care Matters More Than Families Realize
It’s common for family caregivers to delay using respite care, often out of guilt or a sense that asking for a break isn’t a priority. In reality, consistent access to respite tends to make caregiving more sustainable over the long run — reducing burnout, protecting the caregiver’s own health, and often improving the quality of care the individual receives overall, since a rested caregiver is a more present one.
Getting Started With Respite Care
1. Identify the type of relief needed — a few regular hours each week, occasional coverage for specific events, or something else
2. Check funding options — through DDD, Medicaid, or private pay, depending on eligibility
3. Choose a provider who can deliver consistent, trained care during respite periods — continuity matters, especially for individuals who do better with familiar caregivers
4. Build it into the plan, not just as a one-time favor, but as a regular part of the overall care approach
How Priority Groups NJ Provides Respite Care
Priority Groups NJ offers respite care as part of our broader Personal Care Assistant and Direct Support Professional services across Essex, Hudson, and Bergen counties — giving family caregivers real, dependable breaks with a trained caregiver they and their loved one can trust.
Ready for a Break You Can Actually Rely On?
If you’re a family caregiver in New Jersey who could use planned time away, or if you’re not sure how respite fits into your loved one’s care plan, we’re here to help.
Call (718) 400-6166 or visit prioritygroupsnj.org/book-a-meeting/ to learn more about respite care with Priority Groups NJ.