The Respite CARE Act amends the Older Americans Act to create a grant program that helps develop and expand respite care services for family caregivers. Eligible organizations—including state and local governments, nonprofits, senior centers, colleges, and tribal organizations—can apply for grants to provide respite care alongside other supportive services in integrated settings, allowing family caregivers to take breaks while their loved ones receive care. The bill defines family caregivers broadly to include adult relatives and others caring for older adults, people with Alzheimer's disease, children, or individuals with disabilities, and requires that services be accessible through multiple languages, assistive technology, and various formats. Grant recipients can directly provide these services or contract with health care and child care providers to deliver them. While the legislation does not specify funding amounts or implementation timelines in the provided text, it represents a federal commitment to supporting the millions of Americans who care for aging relatives and others while managing their own lives.
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