Ashland, Wisconsin

Respite Care in Ashland, WI

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 Ashland for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Respite Care in Ashland, WI: the local picture

1,658
residents 65 or older (21% of Ashland)
61%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
35%
of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Ashland County)
3
Medicare-certified hospices serve Ashland ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ashland live with someone: 61% 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 521 Ashland residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (32% in Ashland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Ashland compared with Ashland County and Wisconsin

Census figureAshlandAshland CountyWisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability35%32%28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone39%35%30%
Residents 65 or older21%21%19%
Residents 85 or older3.9%2.9%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)27%17%9.1%
Households with no vehicle6.4%5.8%6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$36,364$44,602—

Older residents in towns around Ashland

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Ironwood, MI35 mi1,37638%
Two Harbors, MN49 mi69440%
Hayward, WI49 mi48627%
Superior, WI58 mi4,77837%
Duluth, MN61 mi15,06830%
Rice Lake, MN64 mi94919%

Hospices serving Ashland

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Regional Hospice ServicesAshland, WI6.5 mi(715) 685-5151
St Croix Hospice Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI128 mi(715) 598-2635
St Croix Hospice HudsonHudson, WI142 mi(534) 200-4502

Nursing homes near Ashland (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Ashland Health ServicesAshland, WI0.9 mi4 of 5117(715) 682-3468
Court Manor Health ServicesAshland, WI1.0 mi4 of 550(715) 682-8172
Northern Lights HccWashburn, WI6.9 mi2 of 550(715) 373-5621

Straight-line miles from the center of Ashland. 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 Ashland

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 50% of the $3,030 monthly median income of Ashland 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 Ashland: common questions

Which hospices serve Ashland?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Ashland ZIP codes, including Regional Hospice Services, St Croix Hospice Eau Claire, St Croix Hospice Hudson.

How much does respite care cost in Ashland?

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 50% of the $3,030 monthly median income of Ashland 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 Ashland. 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.

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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