Respite Care in Ballinger, TX: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Ballinger, TX: the local picture

891

residents 65 or older (25% of Ballinger)

65%

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

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Runnels County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ballinger ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ballinger live with someone: 65% 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 355 Ballinger residents aged 65 or older report a disability (46%) (41% in Runnels County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Ballinger ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ballinger compared with Runnels County and Texas

Census figure	Ballinger	Runnels County	Texas
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	41%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	30%	25%
Residents 65 or older	25%	21%	13%
Residents 85 or older	3.0%	2.9%	1.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	1.7%	3.2%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,074	$45,934	—

Older residents in towns around Ballinger

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Coleman, TX	32 mi	1,014	50%
San Angelo, TX	36 mi	16,795	40%
Grape Creek, TX	36 mi	462	30%
Potosi, TX	44 mi	717	27%
Merkel, TX	51 mi	463	56%
Abilene, TX	51 mi	17,807	38%

Hospices serving Ballinger

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Ballinger	Ballinger, TX	0.6 mi	(325) 365-2375
Concho Hearts Hospice, LLC	San Angelo, TX	34 mi	(325) 482-0129
Gentiva	San Angelo, TX	34 mi	(325) 481-0123
Hospice Of San Angelo	San Angelo, TX	38 mi	(325) 658-6524
Enhabit Hospice	Abilene, TX	46 mi	(325) 266-0260

Nursing homes near Ballinger (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Central Texas Nursing & Rehabilitation	Ballinger, TX	0.9 mi	3 of 5	118	(325) 365-2538
Ballinger Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Ballinger, TX	1.1 mi	3 of 5	114	(325) 365-5766
Bronte Health And Rehab Center	Bronte, TX	22 mi	4 of 5	55	(325) 473-3621

Straight-line miles from the center of Ballinger. 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 Ballinger

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $3,590 monthly median income of Ballinger households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family 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 Ballinger: common questions

Which hospices serve Ballinger?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Ballinger ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Ballinger, Concho Hearts Hospice, LLC, Gentiva.

How much does respite care cost in Ballinger?

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $3,590 monthly median income of Ballinger households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 Ballinger. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family caregiver covers Texas.

More near Ballinger

More senior care near Ballinger

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 Ballinger, TX