Respite Care in Anacortes, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Anacortes, WA: the local picture

5,751

residents 65 or older (32% of Anacortes)

75%

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Skagit County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Anacortes ZIP codes

Most older adults in Anacortes live with someone: 75% 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 1,539 Anacortes residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (32% in Skagit County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Anacortes ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Anacortes compared with Skagit County and Washington

Census figure	Anacortes	Skagit County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	32%	23%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	2.2%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.0%	7.1%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	4.6%	3.9%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,000	$65,082	—

Older residents in towns around Anacortes

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Oak Harbor, WA	13 mi	3,118	39%
Burlington, WA	14 mi	1,595	47%
Mount Vernon, WA	15 mi	6,520	37%
Sedro-Woolley, WA	18 mi	1,850	36%
Friday Harbor, WA	18 mi	537	26%
Bellingham, WA	20 mi	15,407	29%

Hospices serving Anacortes

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Whidbeyhealth Hospice And Palliative Care	Coupeville, WA	19 mi	(360) 678-7605
Hospice Of The Northwest	Mount Vernon, WA	19 mi	(360) 814-5550
Eden Hospice	Bellingham, WA	23 mi	(360) 892-6628

Nursing homes near Anacortes (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Soundview Rehabilitation And Health Care Inc	Anacortes, WA	1.0 mi	2 of 5	44	(360) 293-3174
Life Care Center Of Mount Vernon	Mount Vernon, WA	13 mi	1 of 5	121	(360) 424-4258
Mira Vista Care Center	Mount Vernon, WA	15 mi	4 of 5	61	(360) 424-1320
MT Baker Care Center	Bellingham, WA	17 mi	5 of 5	70	(360) 734-4181

Straight-line miles from the center of Anacortes. 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 Anacortes

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $6,250 monthly median income of Anacortes households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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.

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 Anacortes: common questions

Which hospices serve Anacortes?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Anacortes ZIP codes, including Whidbeyhealth Hospice And Palliative Care, Hospice Of The Northwest, Eden Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Anacortes?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $6,250 monthly median income of Anacortes households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Anacortes. 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 Washington.

More near Anacortes

More senior care near Anacortes

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Anacortes

More for Anacortes 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 Anacortes, WA