NH Respite Care for Grandparents and Kinship Caregivers
You haven't had a day to yourself since your grandchild moved in. Raising a young child at 60 or 70 is physically and emotionally demanding, and burnout is real. Respite care — planned breaks where someone else watches the child — exists specifically for this situation in New Hampshire.
ServiceLink Title III-E Respite
Under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Centers serve grandparent caregivers aged 55 or older who are primary caregivers for grandchildren under 18. Biological and adoptive parents are excluded — this is specifically for grandparents and older relatives who stepped in.
ServiceLink provides:
- Respite care subsidies to pay for temporary child supervision
- Peer support groups connecting you with other grandparent caregivers
- Vouchers for concrete goods (varies by local center)
- Information and referrals for other services
To qualify, you must be 55 or older and the primary caregiver for a grandchild. There's no means test for basic services — income eligibility may apply to some subsidized respite programs depending on local availability.
Contact ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412 or visit servicelink.nh.gov to find your local center.
Kinship Navigator Program Respite Support
The Kinship Navigator Program (KNP) connects caregivers of any age to respite options through the Family Resource Center network. While KNP doesn't directly provide respite care, Navigators can:
- Help you find local respite providers
- Connect you with emergency childcare resources
- Link you to peer support groups where other kinship caregivers share the load informally
- Refer you to respite services and supplemental assistance available through local Family Resource Centers
Reach KNP at [email protected] or through your local Family Resource Center.
Other Respite Options
Family Resource Centers (FRCs): Some FRCs run playgroups, parent-child activities, and drop-in programs that give caregivers structured breaks. These are free and open to kinship families.
DCYF respite: If the child is in a formal DCYF placement, the agency provides respite care as part of the placement support services. This is separate from the community-based programs available to all kinship caregivers.
Faith communities and volunteer networks: 211 NH (dial 2-1-1 or call 1-866-444-4211) can connect you with local volunteer respite programs, church-based childcare, and community organizations that support grandparent-headed families.
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Why Respite Matters
Kinship caregivers are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and physical health decline than age-matched peers. Taking breaks isn't optional — it's part of being able to sustain the care. A few hours a week to handle medical appointments, rest, or simply be alone makes long-term caregiving viable.
The complete New Hampshire kinship financial help guide covers respite alongside every financial program available to kinship caregivers — because the money side and the support side work together.
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