Key Takeaways
- Respite care gives family caregivers a temporary break while their loved one is cared for in a safe, supportive environment
- Options range from a few hours of in-home help to multi-week stays at an assisted living community
- Many families use respite stays as a “trial run” before committing to permanent assisted living
- At The Medallion, respite guests stay in furnished apartments, enjoy three chef-prepared meals daily, and have access to all community activities
- Contact Loren Gordon at 713-778-5702 to ask about availability
What Is Respite Care?
“I haven’t taken a vacation in three years.”
We hear some version of that sentence almost every week. A daughter caring for her mom. A husband looking after his wife. A son who moved back home to help his dad. The love is there. The exhaustion is, too.
So what is respite care? Simply put, it’s a break. A chance for caregivers to step away—for a few days, a week, or longer—while someone else looks after their loved one. According to the National Institute on Aging, respite care provides “short-term relief for primary caregivers.”
But here’s the part that matters: it’s not just relief for you. It can be good for your parent, too.
Why Caregivers Need a Break
Caregiving is an act of love. It’s also exhausting.
AARP’s 2025 caregiving report found that one in five family caregivers reports their own health as fair or poor. That’s not surprising when you’re managing medications, coordinating doctors’ appointments, handling meals, and worrying about falls—all while trying to hold onto your own job, your own family, your own life.
Without a break, burnout creeps in. You snap at people you love. You skip your own doctor’s appointments. You forget what it feels like to sleep through the night.
And here’s the hard truth: if you wear yourself down completely, you won’t be able to care for anyone.
Respite care isn’t giving up. It’s not abandoning your parent. It’s making sure you can keep showing up—rested, present, and able to be the person your loved one needs. If you’re wondering whether it might be time, we’ve written about when temporary respite care makes sense.
Types of Respite Care
Respite care isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right option depends on your situation.
In-home respite brings a caregiver into your parent’s home for a few hours or a day. Good for running errands, attending appointments, or just getting some breathing room.
Adult day programs offer daytime activities and supervision at a community center. Your parent socializes and stays engaged. You get the day to yourself.
Residential respite stays are what we offer at The Medallion. Your parent stays with us—in a real apartment, not a hospital room—for two weeks or longer. They eat meals with other residents, join activities, and receive round-the-clock support. You get to travel, rest, recover, or simply exhale.
This is the most complete option, and it’s the one families often choose when they need real time away—or when their loved one needs more support than in-home care can provide.
What a Respite Stay Looks Like at The Medallion
Respite guests at The Medallion aren’t treated like visitors. They’re treated like family.
Your parent will stay in a comfortably furnished apartment—cozy, private, with everything they need. Meals are served three times a day in our dining room: home-cooked and made with care. They can join fitness classes, including sessions in our heated aqua therapy pool. They can read in the library, visit with other residents, or take a quiet walk through the courtyards.
Staff check in regularly. Care and medications are managed by staff members, including a nurse (LVN). Whatever your parent needs, that’s handled.
The goal isn’t to warehouse your loved one while you’re gone. It’s to give them a genuine experience of what life here feels like—the meals, the friendships, the rhythm of the day.
Think of it as a hotel stay with a care team built in. Just pack a suitcase. We handle the rest.
Respite as a Trial Run
Here’s something families don’t always realize: a respite stay is one of the best ways to test assisted living before making a permanent decision.
Maybe you’re not sure if your parent is ready. Maybe they’re not sure. A two-week stay answers many questions. Does Mom like the food? Does Dad enjoy the activities? Do they feel comfortable with the staff?
Families exploring senior assisted living apartments in Houston often start with a respite stay. It’s low-pressure. No long-term commitment. Just a chance to see how it feels.
For seniors recovering from a hospital stay or surgery, respite care offers more than just a safe place to heal before going home: it offers a sense of community and support. Instead of returning to an empty house—where falls and missed medications are more likely—they can recover in a supervised, supportive environment.
Some families discover that assisted living is exactly what their loved one needed. Others decide home is still the right choice. Either way, they leave with clarity instead of guessing.
When to Consider Respite Care
You might be ready for respite care if:
- You’re planning a trip and need someone to look after your parent
- You’re exhausted, and the exhaustion isn’t going away
- Your parent is being discharged from the hospital and shouldn’t be alone yet
- You want to see how your loved one would adjust to assisted living
- Your own health needs attention, and you can’t be a caregiver right now
There’s no wrong reason to ask for help.
What Does Respite Care Cost?
Costs vary depending on the type of care and the length of time you need it. In-home respite is typically charged by the hour. Adult day programs often have daily rates. Residential stays like ours are priced daily and include meals, activities, and care.
One thing to know: Medicare generally doesn’t cover respite care in assisted living settings. The National Council on Aging notes that Medicare may cover hospice-related respite for up to five days, and some long-term care insurance policies include respite benefits. It may be worth checking your policy.
At The Medallion, respite stays are priced similarly to a resort hotel. Call us for current rates.
Respite Care at The Medallion
The Medallion offers a respite care program with a two-week minimum stay. We’re located on the Seven Acres campus in Houston’s Greater Meyerland Area, close to the Texas Medical Center—convenient if your parent has doctors nearby.
What respite guests receive:
- A furnished apartment for one person or a couple
- Three meals daily
- Round-the-clock care and supervision
- Access to fitness programs, including the heated aqua therapy pool
- Social, cultural, and religious programming
- Library, gathering spaces, and beautiful outdoor courtyards
And yes—if your parent has a pet, they can come too. We’re a pet-friendly assisted living community in Houston, and pets are welcome during respite stays for an additional fee. The courtyards and walking paths give dogs room to stretch their legs.
Seven Acres has been part of this community for over 80 years. We’re a nonprofit. We serve kosher meals and observe Jewish traditions—but we welcome residents of all faiths and backgrounds. Always have.
FAQs About Respite Care
What is respite care?
Respite care is short-term care that gives family caregivers a break. It can last a few hours, a few days, or several weeks.
How long is a typical respite stay?
It depends. In-home respite might be for a few hours. At The Medallion, we require a two-week minimum for residential stays—though guests are welcome to stay longer.
Does Medicare cover respite care?
Usually not for assisted living settings. Medicare may cover up to five days of inpatient respite if your loved one qualifies for hospice. Check your long-term care insurance policy for additional coverage.
Can my parent bring their pet?
Yes. Pets are welcome at The Medallion for an additional fee. Our campus has courtyards and walking paths for daily strolls.
What’s the difference between respite care and assisted living?
Respite care is temporary. Assisted living is a permanent living arrangement. Many families use respite stays to try assisted living before deciding. Learn more about our assisted living apartments.
Come See for Yourself
If you’re considering respite care—or wondering whether your parent might thrive in a community like ours—come visit. Walk the courtyards. See the apartments. Sit in the dining room. Ask us anything.
Book a tour—we offer tours weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Or call Loren Gordon at 713-778-5702 or email lgordon@themedallion.org.
You’ve been taking care of someone else for a long time. Let us take care of them for a little while—so you can take care of yourself.