The Respite CARE Act proposes to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 by introducing a new grant program. This program is designed to foster the development and expansion of integrated caregiver support services for family caregivers. The core idea is to provide respite care concurrently with other essential supportive services in a single, integrated setting. Grants will be available to a diverse range of eligible entities, including State and local government agencies , nonprofit organizations, area agencies on aging, and Tribal organizations. Funds must be used to deliver these integrated services in an accessible manner, incorporating assistive technology, accessible languages, and translation services for non-English speaking caregivers. Entities can provide these services directly or through contracts with health care or child care providers. The bill broadly defines a "family caregiver" to encompass informal providers for older individuals or those with Alzheimer's disease, as well as "older relative caregivers" who are 55 or older and care for children or individuals with disabilities. "Respite care" is clarified to include health care and child care for the care recipient, ultimately supporting the family caregiver.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Social Welfare
Respite CARE Act
USA119th CongressS-3231| Senate
| Updated: 11/20/2025
The Respite CARE Act proposes to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 by introducing a new grant program. This program is designed to foster the development and expansion of integrated caregiver support services for family caregivers. The core idea is to provide respite care concurrently with other essential supportive services in a single, integrated setting. Grants will be available to a diverse range of eligible entities, including State and local government agencies , nonprofit organizations, area agencies on aging, and Tribal organizations. Funds must be used to deliver these integrated services in an accessible manner, incorporating assistive technology, accessible languages, and translation services for non-English speaking caregivers. Entities can provide these services directly or through contracts with health care or child care providers. The bill broadly defines a "family caregiver" to encompass informal providers for older individuals or those with Alzheimer's disease, as well as "older relative caregivers" who are 55 or older and care for children or individuals with disabilities. "Respite care" is clarified to include health care and child care for the care recipient, ultimately supporting the family caregiver.