Facility Respite Care

What is Facility Respite Care?

Facility respite offers clients short-term overnight care in licensed care facilities. You can view our facility respite locations here.

Benefits of Facility Respite Care

For the caregiver:

• A chance to rest and recharge
• Time to connect with community

Trusting others with the care of your loved one can feel challenging, but a break can benefit your long-term ability to provide support. 

Respite also offers clients:

• A change of scenery
• Social interaction and activities
• Professional care and support

Starting respite care early in your care journey can make adjustment periods less challenging, especially for those with dementia. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the drop-down menu to learn more. 

Who is eligible?

Your Case Manager will help determine your eligibility. If you do not have a Case Manager, call Island Health Community Health Services for further information. 

• South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273
• Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101
• North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988

How long can you stay?

A client is entitled to a maximum of 36 nights per year. Most facility respite stays are booked as a block of six nights.

Some facilities offer stays of less than six nights. You can find that information on the facility respite care locations pages.

How much does it cost?

There is a minimal daily cost, subsidized by Island Health. The 2024 daily rate amount is $46.59. This rate changes annually and is set by the Ministry of Health.

Check with individual locations about when and how you should pay.

Where are the Facility Respite Care sites located?

Island Health has 15 locations across Vancouver Island, including in Greater Victoria, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Cumberland, Courtney, Comox, and Campbell River.

Visit our facility respite location pages to learn about what to expect at each one.

What services and amenities are provided?

Clients stay in a private room and bathroom and receive three meals a day plus snacks.

Common areas are available for socializing and guests are welcome to join any of the organized group activities. Visits from family and friends are welcome.

On-site staff follow the care plan developed by the client and their case manager.

Visit our facility respite location pages to learn about what is available at each one.

How do I book a stay?

You can book your first respite stay two weeks after the case manager completes their assessment.

Call the respite booking line for your area and leave a voice message that includes your full name and phone number. The booking team will return your call within 3-5 business days.

Reservations require a minimum of two weeks’ notice, however, facility respite services are popular so you may need to book a few months in advance.

To book a respite visit, please call the respite booking line for your area:

South Island: 250-370-5602
Central Island: 250-519-5272
North Island: 250-519-6004
Toll Free: 1-866-977-5778

If your last respite stay was more than one year ago, contact your Case Manager to arrange a reassessment.

How do I prepare for a stay?

We encourage you to take a tour of the facility respite location you are attending. Here you can ask questions about medications, billing, meals, bathing options, outdoor access, visitations, and anything else that is on your mind.

You should also:

• Be clear about pick up and drop off times
• Understand ahead of time how billing works
• Complete any paperwork before you arrive
• Cancel all community services for the duration of the stay e.g. home support and adult day program 
• Label all client’s personal items (some locations (link) have a labelling service)
• Check your location’s (link) medication procedure
• Be prepared to bring equipment you use at home such as walkers, or specialty commode (check with your facility)
• Provide an information sheet about the client with some details on what they like and how to support them
• Bring favourite photographs, blankets, snacks, and mugs to feel at home
• Bring books, crosswords, and crafts the client enjoys
• Consider writing notes or a card for your loved one to receive while you’re gone
• Don’t bring cash or anything valuable that could break

Printable Materials

Facility Respite Care