Associates of Respite Care Utilization Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults in the US

Q: What is respite care and why does it matter for family caregivers?

Respite care temporarily steps in to provide care for older adults, offering relief to family caregivers. Prior research links respite services to better physical and mental health outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients.

Q: Which dataset years were used to study respite utilization?

The study uses 2015, 2017, and 2021 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC).

Q: What factors were associated with higher respite care usage?

Caregivers with higher income and education were more likely to use respite. Higher emotional burden, Medicaid coverage of care recipients, dementia diagnosis, and more chronic conditions were also positively associated with respite usage.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Chumphorn

Respite care provides temporary relief for family caregivers of older adults, yet utilization remains low and caregiver–care recipient profiles are insufficiently characterized. Using 2015, 2017, and 2021 NHATS and NSOC data, the study estimates prevalence and identifies associates of respite use among weighted 15,329,939 caregivers. Overall 16.45% used respite, with higher income and education linked to greater use. Additional positive associations include emotional burden, Medicaid coverage, dementia diagnosis, and greater chronic conditions. Results highlight the need to expand respite funding and policies for low-income and emotionally or financially strained caregivers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Purpose

Data and Methods (NHATS, NSOC)

Prevalence of Respite Use

Key Associates and Findings

Implications for Funding and Policy

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 253 struggling emotionally with caregiving responsibilities (5.62 percentage points more, p < 0.001), were more likely to use respite. Older care recipients with Medicaid coverage (5.8 percentage point more, p < 0.01), dementia diagnosis (9.76 percentage points more, p < 0.001) and more chronic conditions (5.23 percentage points more, p = 0.02) were positively associated with respite usage of caregivers. Our results suggests the current respite care demand is driven by caregivers’ desire to reduce caregiving burden, as well as the care recipient’s Medicaid status. The results underscore the need for expanded respite care funding and policies to improve access for low-income caregivers and those with emotionally and financially challenging circumstances. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.850 ASSOCIATES OF RESPITE CARE UTILIZATION AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE US Jun Chu1, Joseph Svec2, and Fei Sun3, 1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 2. St. Joseph’s University, Patchogue, New York, United States, 3. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States Respite care provides a relief to family caregivers by temporarily stepping in to provide care for older adults. Prior literature has shown that respite care services can improve both physical and mental health outcomes for caregivers and care recipients. Despite these benefits, respite utilization remains low, and little is known about the profiles of caregivers and care recipients who uses respite care. Using 2015, 2017 and 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), we examined the prevalence and associates of respite usage among family caregivers of older adults. Our study sample represented weighted 15,329,939 caregivers, with average age around 59.14 years. 16.45% caregivers used respite care services. Findings revealed that caregivers with higher income and education levels were more likely to use respite. Those with higher emotional burdens, including feeling little joy in caregiving (6.0 percentage points more, p < 0.001), and

FAQs

What is respite care and why does it matter for family caregivers?

Respite care temporarily steps in to provide care for older adults, offering relief to family caregivers. Prior research links respite services to better physical and mental health outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients.

Which dataset years were used to study respite utilization?

The study uses 2015, 2017, and 2021 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC).

What factors were associated with higher respite care usage?

Caregivers with higher income and education were more likely to use respite. Higher emotional burden, Medicaid coverage of care recipients, dementia diagnosis, and more chronic conditions were also positively associated with respite usage.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Chumphorn