Caregiver Respite: An Essential Component of Home- and Community-Based Long-Term Care

One in 5 US adults (53 million people) provide long-term care to persons who are aging, disabled, and chronically ill.1 This informal workforce—referred to as family caregivers—perform medical tasks, help with activities of daily living, prepare meals, provide transportation, manage finances, coordinate care, and support the psychosocial needs of care recipients living in their homes and in our communities.2 The average family caregiver provides 24 hours of direct care per week for about 4.5 years.