Is Compass Senior Solutions free for families?

Yes. Compass Senior Solutions is completely free for families. Andrew Mace is compensated by the senior living community after a placement is made, so there is never any cost, obligation, or pressure on the families he works with.

What areas does Compass Senior Solutions serve?

Compass serves Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Suffolk, Newport News, Williamsburg, and the broader Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

What types of senior living does Compass help with?

Compass helps families find assisted living, memory care, independent living, residential care homes, and home care providers throughout Hampton Roads. Andrew helps families find the right fit for their specific situation, needs, and budget.

How is Compass Senior Solutions different from A Place for Mom or other national services?

Unlike national referral services, Compass Senior Solutions is a locally based Hampton Roads advisor. Andrew Mace has personal knowledge of the communities, staff, and neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and across the region. Families get hands-on, personalized guidance — not a list of options from a call center.

What if my parent refuses to move to a senior living community?

This is one of the most common situations families face. Andrew can help you explore home care options that allow your loved one to stay home safely, discuss how to approach the conversation about care needs, and be available whenever your family is ready — whether that is tomorrow or several months from now.

How quickly can Compass help in an urgent situation?

For urgent situations — a hospital discharge, a sudden decline, or a safety concern at home — Compass can typically have care options in front of your family within 24 to 48 hours. Call (757) 235-3065 directly for urgent situations.

Respite Care Guidance in Hampton Roads

Caring for an aging parent or spouse is one of the most meaningful things a family can do — and one of the most exhausting. Respite care gives family caregivers a temporary break while ensuring their loved one continues to receive safe, compassionate support. Compass Senior Solutions helps families across Hampton Roads understand their respite care options and find the right fit.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is temporary, short-term care provided to give primary family caregivers a planned break. It can last a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks, depending on the family’s needs. During that time, a qualified caregiver, a home care agency, or a senior living community steps in to care for your loved one.

Respite care is not a permanent placement. It’s a way to recharge so you can continue providing quality care at home — or to assess whether a more permanent transition might be the right next step.

Signs You May Need Respite Care

Families often don’t recognize when they need a break until they’re already burned out. Some common signs it may be time to seek respite care:

You feel exhausted, resentful, or emotionally depleted most days
You’ve had to cancel your own medical appointments or social plans repeatedly
You’re losing sleep due to nighttime caregiving needs
A medical procedure or hospitalization requires you to be away temporarily
You want to try a senior living community before committing to a permanent move
Your loved one would benefit from professional supervision and social engagement

Types of Respite Care Available in Hampton Roads

Respite care comes in several forms. The right choice depends on how much time you need, your budget, and your loved one’s care needs.

In-Home Respite Care

A professional caregiver comes to your home for a few hours or overnight. This is the least disruptive option for your loved one and can be arranged through a licensed home care agency. Compass can help you identify and vet home care agencies serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and surrounding areas.

Short-Term Stay at a Senior Living Community

Many assisted living communities in Hampton Roads accept short-term or respite stays, typically ranging from two weeks to 60 days. Your loved one receives full community services — meals, activities, personal care — while you step back to rest, travel, or recover. This is also a helpful way to experience a community before making a long-term decision.

Adult Day Programs

Adult day centers provide structured programming, socialization, and supervision during daytime hours, allowing caregivers to work or rest. Some programs specialize in memory care and can be an excellent option for families caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

How Compass Helps With Respite Care

Compass Senior Solutions provides no-cost guidance to families navigating respite care decisions across Hampton Roads. We help you:

Understand which type of respite care fits your specific situation
Identify communities or agencies in your area that offer short-term stays
Compare care options by cost, quality, and fit
Support you in asking the right questions during community tours
Help you think through whether a temporary stay might evolve into a permanent transition

Frequently Asked Questions About Respite Care

How much does respite care cost in Virginia?

Costs vary significantly by type. In-home respite care through an agency typically runs $25–$35 per hour in the Hampton Roads area. Short-term stays at assisted living communities may range from $100–$250 per day, depending on the community and care level. Adult day programs are generally the most affordable option. Compass can help you compare specific costs based on your loved one’s needs.

Does Medicare cover respite care?

Medicare covers short-term inpatient respite care only if your loved one is enrolled in a Medicare-certified hospice program. Outside of hospice, Medicare does not cover most forms of respite care. Medicaid (through Virginia’s programs) may provide some coverage for eligible individuals. Long-term care insurance policies sometimes include respite care benefits. We recommend speaking with an elder law attorney or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

What if my loved one doesn’t want to go to a community for respite care?

Resistance is very common. In-home respite care is often the best starting point for families in this situation, since your loved one remains in familiar surroundings. In our experience helping families across Hampton Roads, most people become more comfortable once they’ve had a positive experience with a caregiver at home or during a short-term visit.

Is Compass’s help with respite care really free?

Yes. Our guidance comes at no cost to you or your family. When we help place a loved one in a senior living community, Compass is compensated by that community — similar to how a real estate agent is paid by the seller. For home care referrals and general guidance, there is no fee. You’ll never receive a bill from us.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

Caregiver burnout is real — and you don’t have to get there before asking for help. Whether you need a few hours a week or a two-week break while you recover from surgery, Compass can help you find the right respite care option in Hampton Roads. Reach out whenever you’re ready. There’s no obligation, and the conversation is always free.