Respite Care · Buncombe County
Respite Care in Buncombe County
By Asheville Senior Care Guide · Updated July 2026
Caring for an aging parent or spouse is one of the hardest jobs there is, and doing it without a break is how caregivers burn out, get sick, or reach a crisis. Respite care is short-term relief: someone else steps in so you can rest, work, travel, or simply catch your breath. It is not a luxury or a sign of failure. It is what keeps a caregiver going, and it is available in Buncombe County in several forms.
The three kinds of respite
At home
In-home respite
A paid caregiver comes to the house for a few hours, a full day, or overnight so you can step away. Best when your loved one is most comfortable at home.
For the day
Adult day programs
Your loved one spends the day in a supervised program with activities and care, and you get regular, predictable relief. Often the most affordable option.
Short stay
Facility respite
Some assisted living and skilled nursing communities offer short-term stays, a few days to a few weeks, useful when you travel or recover from your own illness.
How to pay for it
Respite has more funding help than most families realize. Beyond private pay, the NC Family Caregiver Support Program, administered locally by the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, can fund respite for eligible families. Veterans and surviving spouses may be able to use VA benefits. And North Carolina Medicaid’s CAP/DA waiver can cover in-home respite for those who qualify.
For the funding details, see our guides on Paying for Care, VA Benefits, and NC Medicaid.
Where to find respite locally
In-home respite comes from the same agencies that provide in-home care, bookable by the hour or day. Day-long respite is available through the county’s adult day programs (Irene Wortham, MountainCare, and CarePartners PACE). For short facility stays, ask individual assisted living communities or skilled nursing facilities whether they accept respite guests.
Don’t wait for a crisis to arrange respite. Set it up while things are stable, even a few hours a week, so the relief is already in place when you need it. Our Caregiver Burnout guide covers the warning signs to watch for in yourself.
Need a break, or help arranging one?
Tell us your situation and a local guide will help you find respite options that fit. Free, and no sales pressure.
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