A Hard Act to Follow
The care your loved one needs — only the hours you need.
“Because the care you’d give is a hard act to follow.”
À la carte, in-home respite care in St. Louis. Book a 2, 4, or 6-hour visit and pay only for the time and the help you actually need — so you can rest, work, or breathe, knowing someone dependable is there.
Or call (314) 657-7224 · 8 AM–6 PM
Ensuring your loved ones are cared for when you can’t be there.
What is respite care?
Caring for a loved one is one of the hardest jobs there is — and no one can do it around the clock alone. Respite care means short, scheduled in-home visits where we step in so you can rest, run errands, go to your own appointments, or simply take a breath. Your loved one stays safe, engaged, and comfortable in their own home.
Why we’re different
Most respite services sell you a bundle. We don’t. With us, it’s à la carte — you decide what you need.
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Choose your services
Companionship, games, memory exercises, rehab practice — pick only what helps your loved one.
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Choose your hours
Simple 2, 4, or 6-hour visits. Book what fits your day, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
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Pay for what you use
Transparent hourly pricing with no padded packages. You pay for the time and help you actually need.
How it works
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1
Tell us what you need
Share a little about your loved one and the help you’re looking for.
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2
Pick your hours
Choose a 2, 4, or 6-hour visit and the services that fit.
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3
We show up
Dependable, respectful care in your own home — so you get a real break.
What we do
A few of the ways we help during a visit — mix and match whatever your loved one enjoys or needs.
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Companionship & social time
Conversation, a friendly presence, and genuine attention for someone who is homebound or isolated.
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Games & activities
Cards, Uno, and other simple games to keep visits engaging and enjoyable.
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Memory care support
Memory games and gentle, patient engagement for loved ones living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
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Rehab encouragement
Support with at-home rehab routines — like practicing speech with Alexa after a stroke.
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Safe & at ease
If a loved one is disoriented or can’t move easily, we keep them secure and calm until a nurse or family returns.
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Hospital & bedside sitting
A reassuring presence at the bedside when you can’t be there yourself.
What we don’t do — and why that’s a good thing
We keep our care simple, respectful, and clearly within bounds. We are not a medical or home-healthcare agency and we do not provide nursing, cooking, life-skills help, errands, or driving. Our care is in-home only, and out of respect for privacy and safety, our caregivers never enter the bathroom or bedroom.
Simple, honest pricing
Starting at $33 per hour. Choose the package that fits your day.
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2-Hour Visit
$33/hour
$66 total
A short, focused break — games, social time, or simply a safe, calming presence.
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Most popular
4-Hour Visit
$33/hour
$132 total
Enough time to run errands, attend your own appointment, or get real rest.
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6-Hour Visit
$33/hour
$198 total
A full part of the day covered, so you can work or travel with peace of mind.
- Need to go longer? Hours beyond your booked package are $40/hour.
- Private pay. Care is paid out of pocket — we do not currently bill health insurance.
- Late cancellations. A late-cancellation fee applies; details are in your service agreement.
Meet Danny
A Hard Act to Follow was founded by Danny Lawrence, who has been blind since age eleven. That experience is exactly why this work matters to him — he knows firsthand what it means to depend on others, to value independence, and to be treated with dignity rather than pity.
Danny is a two-time Missouri state wrestling champion and was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society at Washington University in St. Louis. People who’ve watched him work tend to say the same thing — he’s a hard act to follow — and that’s the standard he brings to caring for your family.
Where we serve
We come to you, within about a 10-mile radius of Highway 40 (I-64) & Grand Blvd in St. Louis — covering St. Louis City and many close-in St. Louis County communities, including:
- Midtown & Central West End
- The Grove / Forest Park Southeast
- Shaw & Tower Grove
- The Hill & Dogtown
- Soulard & Lafayette Square
- Downtown & Midtown
- Southampton & St. Louis Hills
- Clayton & Richmond Heights
- University City & Olivette
- Maplewood, Brentwood & Webster Groves
- Shrewsbury & Affton
- Normandy & Wellston
Common ZIP codes: 63101, 63103, 63104, 63108, 63109, 63110, 63112, 63113, 63116, 63117, 63118, 63119, 63123, 63124, 63130, 63139, 63143, 63144.
Not sure if you’re in range? Just ask — we’ll let you know.
Request care
Tell us about your loved one and what you’re looking for. Danny will follow up with you personally. Your information is kept private and used only to plan care.
Work with us
Want meaningful work helping families in St. Louis? Caregivers are paid $20/hour. A background check is required, and we’ll ask a little about who you are and what you enjoy.