Our services
Respite Care in St. Louis
A trusted caregiver at home, so you can take the break you need
What we help with
Relief for family caregivers who need time to rest, work, or simply breathe. Your loved one stays at home with a familiar team approach.
- Short visits or extended coverage
- Same care team coordination
- Flexible scheduling
- Companion and personal care combined
- Overnight options where needed
- Direct access to our office
What is respite care?
Respite care is short-term, in-home help that gives a family caregiver time off. A Here at Home Healthcare caregiver comes to your loved one's home and follows their usual routine while you rest, go to work, run errands, keep your own appointments, or travel. It can be a few hours, an overnight, or one to two weeks while you are away.
Our respite care is non-medical. Caregivers help with daily living, companionship, and keeping the day on track. We serve families in St. Louis, St. Charles, and surrounding Missouri communities.
Who respite care is for
Respite care is for the person doing the caregiving. Families usually call us when: an adult son or daughter is caring for a parent and also working and raising a family; a husband or wife is caring for a spouse with memory changes and has not had a full night's sleep in weeks; the main caregiver is sick, has surgery of their own, or has a family emergency; a trip, a wedding, or a work conference is coming up and no one else can stay with Mom or Dad; or the caregiver is worn out and knows it, and wants a regular day off before things get harder.
If you are tired, short-tempered, skipping your own doctor visits, or pulling away from friends, those are common signs of caregiver burnout. A regular break helps you keep going for the long haul.
When asking for a break feels hard
The most common sentence we hear from family caregivers: "I feel guilty even asking about this." Consider the arithmetic instead. Caregivers who burn out end up unable to care at all, and the next stop is often a facility no one wanted. Four protected hours a week is not abandonment. It is maintenance on the arrangement that keeps your loved one home.
Regular, scheduled respite works better than emergency respite booked at the breaking point, both for you and for how your loved one adjusts to a new face. Start with one protected afternoon a week.
What's included
Respite care services
During a respite visit, your caregiver can help with:
- Personal care, including bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Medication reminders (reminders only, non-medical)
- Meal preparation and help at mealtimes
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Companionship and conversation
- Transportation to appointments and errands
- Walking alongside your loved one to help prevent falls
Memory care respite
For a loved one living with Alzheimer's or dementia, we can match a dementia-aware caregiver who keeps routines familiar, helps with redirection and calming, and watches for wandering and late-day confusion. See our dementia care page for more.
How scheduling works
1. Call or request a callback
Call or text 314-708-8716, or fill out the care assessment form.
2. Complimentary care assessment
A member of our care team visits your home, meets your loved one, and learns your routine and what kind of break you need. After the visit, we follow up with recommended hours and pricing. There is no obligation to schedule care.
3. A written care plan
We build an internal care plan covering services, schedule, and safety. Caregivers on your care team are trained on that plan, so care stays consistent even when caregivers rotate.
4. Care starts on your schedule
Most families begin within days of the assessment. We stay in touch and adjust as your needs change.
Schedule options and minimum hours
Flexible scheduling
- Regular weekly or monthly respite
- Weekend and holiday coverage
- Overnight respite
- Extended multi-day care, including vacation coverage of one to two weeks
- Same-day or emergency respite when a caregiver is available (we cannot promise it, but we work hard to make it happen; for needs within 48 hours, call us directly)
Minimum hours
4 or more visits a week, 4 hours minimum per visit. 3 or fewer visits a week, 6 hours minimum per visit. This helps your care team learn your loved one's routine and keeps care consistent.
For new families, we often suggest starting with shorter visits first, so your loved one gets comfortable before you plan a longer trip.
Service area
We provide respite care across Missouri, including St. Louis and St. Louis County (Clayton, Kirkwood, Frontenac, Ladue, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Des Peres, Manchester, Town and Country, Wildwood, Sunset Hills, Eureka, Maryland Heights, Brentwood, Oakville, and Shrewsbury); St. Charles County (St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon, Cottleville, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville); and surrounding Missouri communities including Franklin County, Augusta, Troy, Lincoln, Wright City, Farmington, and Rolla.
Not sure if we cover your town? Call 314-708-8716 and we will confirm.
Why families choose Here at Home Healthcare
Direct access and local ownership
You reach us directly. Call or text 314-708-8716 and you reach our own team, a local office that knows your family. Office open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Current clients can reach our on-call team anytime. Care itself is available around the clock.
We are locally owned and family run, serving St. Louis families as neighbors.
Quality care practices
- We keep our client list small on purpose, so our team can stay focused and unhurried.
- We pay caregivers well. Strong caregiver pay helps us attract and keep good caregivers, so your loved one sees familiar faces.
- Bonded and insured caregivers. Every caregiver on our team is bonded and insured.
- Caregivers are screened. Every caregiver goes through background checks and reference checks and is trained on your loved one's care plan before visits begin.
- We follow your routine. We learn what already works at home and stick to it, so your loved one stays comfortable while you are away.
- We keep you informed. During longer stays, we share how things are going so you are never left wondering.
What families say
Read what families say about us on our testimonials page.
Respite care FAQ
What is respite care?
Respite care is short-term, in-home help that gives a family caregiver a break. A Here at Home Healthcare caregiver stays with your loved one and follows their routine for a few hours, overnight, or longer while you are away.
Do you offer respite care for family caregivers in St. Louis?
Yes. We provide hourly respite care throughout St. Louis and St. Charles County so family caregivers can rest, travel, or handle their own appointments while a trained caregiver stays with their loved one.
How much notice do you need to schedule respite care?
Most families begin within days of their complimentary assessment. For urgent needs within 48 hours, call us directly at 314-708-8716. We keep a small team of on-call caregivers for emergencies when availability allows.
Can I book respite care for a weekend or a vacation?
Yes. We offer weekend and holiday coverage, overnight respite, and extended multi-day care, including vacation coverage of one to two weeks.
Is there a minimum number of hours?
Yes. If you schedule 4 or more visits a week, each visit is at least 4 hours. If you schedule 3 or fewer visits a week, each visit is at least 6 hours. This helps your care team learn your loved one's routine.
Can you provide respite care for someone with dementia?
Yes. We can match a dementia-aware caregiver who keeps routines familiar and helps with redirection, calming, and wandering. Learn more on our dementia care page.
Will my parent accept a caregiver they don't know?
Usually, after a visit or two, and often more easily than they accept help from their own child. Introducing the caregiver as extra help around the house, with you there the first time, smooths the start. Before the first shift we learn the routine you have built, so the day feels familiar.
Can respite turn into regular care later?
Frequently, and gently. The caregiver your family already trusts just comes more often.
Does long-term care insurance cover respite care?
Long-term care insurance policies frequently cover respite hours, and if your loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse, VA benefits may help. Bring the policy to your assessment and we will read it with you.
How much does respite care cost?
Cost depends on how many hours and what kind of help your loved one needs. We go over recommended hours and pricing after your complimentary in-home assessment, with no obligation to schedule care.
Areas we serve
- St. Louis and St. Louis County, including Clayton, Kirkwood, Frontenac, Ladue, Webster Groves, and Creve Coeur
- St. Charles County, including St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon, and Wentzville
- Chesterfield, Ballwin, Des Peres, and Manchester
Related services
Ready for a break? Let's talk
Call us directly or request a complimentary assessment. Someone from our team will reach out by phone.