Family caregivers need more ways to get a break—but traditional respite services can be costly, difficult to find, or limited in availability.

That’s why we’re excited to share that Age Well in Vermont has been selected by USAging as an Innovations in Caregiver Services and Supports Pilot Site, with Respite Care as its primary focus area. USAging awarded 18-month seed grants to Aging Network organizations to develop or expand innovative approaches to caregiver support. The projects launched in September 2025 and will continue through March 2027. USAging

As part of this work, Age Well is using Respite Coop to support its Caregiver Respite Network—a peer-to-peer model that connects caregivers in small, trusted groups.

After being vetted by Age Well, participants are matched with other caregivers based on location and shared needs. Through Respite Coop, members can request and offer help with activities such as companionship, errands, transportation to appointments, light housekeeping, or simply creating time for a caregiver to step away and recharge. Rather than exchanging money, members exchange time and support. Age Well

What makes this model especially promising is that it builds on something caregivers already do naturally: help one another. Respite Coop provides the structure to make that support easier to coordinate, safer to manage, and more sustainable over time.

For us at Dostata, Age Well’s pilot represents an important opportunity to learn how peer-to-peer respite can complement professional services, volunteer programs, and other caregiver supports—and how the model might eventually be replicated by other community organizations.

We’re grateful to Age Well and USAging for the opportunity to be part of this work.

Learn more:
USAging Innovations in Caregiver Services and Supports Pilot Sites
Age Well Caregiver Respite Network

Interested in bringing a peer-to-peer respite model to your organization?
Learn more about Respite Coop

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