Respite Care in Albert Lea, MN
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Albert Lea for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Albert Lea, MN: the local picture
Most older adults in Albert Lea live with someone: 64% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.
About 1,291 Albert Lea residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (29% in Freeborn County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Albert Lea ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Albert Lea compared with Freeborn County and Minnesota
| Census figure | Albert Lea | Freeborn County | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 29% | 28% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 36% | 31% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 25% | 23% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.3% | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.5% | 6.8% | 8.8% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.8% | 5.8% | 6.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $42,241 | $49,381 | — |
Older residents in towns around Albert Lea
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, MN | 19 mi | 4,489 | 27% |
| Waseca, MN | 30 mi | 1,516 | 37% |
| Forest City, IA | 31 mi | 756 | 34% |
| Owatonna, MN | 31 mi | 5,174 | 29% |
| Clear Lake, IA | 36 mi | 2,089 | 36% |
| Mason City, IA | 36 mi | 6,215 | 31% |
Hospices serving Albert Lea
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Croix Hospice | Albert Lea, MN | 0.3 mi | (507) 416-4247 |
| Prairie Grace Hospice, LLC | Mankato, MN | 47 mi | (507) 821-0430 |
| Moments Hospice | Rochester, MN | 50 mi | (507) 888-9700 |
| Mayo Clinic Hospice | Rochester, MN | 52 mi | (507) 284-4002 |
| Allina Health Hospice & Palliative Care | Minneapolis, MN | 89 mi | (651) 635-9173 |
Nursing homes near Albert Lea (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Crest Retirement Center | Albert Lea, MN | 0.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 52 | (507) 205-9004 |
| St Johns On Fountain Lake | Albert Lea, MN | 1.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 84 | (507) 373-2040 |
| Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea | Albert Lea, MN | 3.3 mi | 4 of 5 | 80 | (507) 379-2701 |
| Lutheran Retirement Home | Northwood, IA | 16 mi | 3 of 5 | 42 | (641) 324-1712 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Albert Lea. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a respite caregiver can help with
- Taking over the usual routine while you are away
- Meals, medication reminders and personal care
- Company and activities
- Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip
What respite care costs in Albert Lea
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a respite caregiver
Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.
Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Respite Care in Albert Lea: common questions
Which hospices serve Albert Lea?
Medicare lists 5 hospices for Albert Lea ZIP codes, including St Croix Hospice, Prairie Grace Hospice, LLC, Moments Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Albert Lea?
At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,520 monthly median income of Albert Lea households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?
Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Albert Lea. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Minnesota.
More senior care near Albert Lea
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Austin, MN
- Respite Care in Waseca, MN
- Respite Care in Forest City, IA
- Respite Care in Owatonna, MN
- Respite Care in Clear Lake, IA
- Respite Care in Mason City, IA
- Respite Care in Dodge Center, MN
- Respite Care in Blue Earth, MN
- Respite Care in Osage, IA
- Respite Care in Garner, IA
- Respite Care in Kasson, MN
- Respite Care in Eagle Lake, MN
- Respite Care in Byron, MN
- Respite Care in Faribault, MN
- Respite Care in Stewartville, MN
- Respite Care in Mankato, MN
Other care in Albert Lea
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
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