Respite Care in Altoona, WI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Altoona, WI: the local picture

1,717

residents 65 or older (19% of Altoona)

67%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Eau Claire County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Altoona ZIP codes

Most older adults in Altoona live with someone: 67% 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 525 Altoona residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (29% in Eau Claire County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Altoona ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Altoona compared with Eau Claire County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Altoona	Eau Claire County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%	19%
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	7.2%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	8.4%	6.4%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,250	$58,282	—

Older residents in towns around Altoona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Eau Claire, WI	3.0 mi	11,454	29%
Lake Hallie, WI	6.4 mi	1,035	26%
Chippewa Falls, WI	9.6 mi	3,042	28%
Lake Wissota, WI	11 mi	640	30%
Mondovi, WI	19 mi	634	45%
Bloomer, WI	21 mi	783	29%

Hospices serving Altoona

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 377-9617
Lily Home And Hospice	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(262) 235-3115
Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 800-0900
St Croix Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 598-2635
Heartland Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.6 mi	(715) 214-2485

Nursing homes near Altoona (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oakwood Health Services	Altoona, WI	0.8 mi	3 of 5	80	(715) 833-0400
Grace Lutheran Communities - River Pines	Altoona, WI	0.9 mi	4 of 5	50	(715) 598-7800
Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	1.8 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 552-1035
Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	5.0 mi	4 of 5	83	(715) 552-1030

Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

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

Cost

What respite care costs in Altoona

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

Before you hire

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.

Questions

Respite Care in Altoona: common questions

Which hospices serve Altoona?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Altoona ZIP codes, including Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin, Lily Home And Hospice, Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire.

How much does respite care cost in Altoona?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,521 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Altoona. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near Altoona

More senior care near Altoona

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Altoona

More for Altoona families

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.

Respite Care in Altoona, WI