Respite Care in Baxter, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Baxter, MN: the local picture

2,095

residents 65 or older (23% of Baxter)

65%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Crow Wing County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Baxter ZIP codes

Most older adults in Baxter 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 511 Baxter residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (30% in Crow Wing County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Baxter compared with Crow Wing County and Minnesota

Census figure	Baxter	Crow Wing County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	30%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	23%	24%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.9%	3.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.3%	9.0%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	6.4%	4.9%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$56,313	$56,498	—

Older residents in towns around Baxter

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Brainerd, MN	3.8 mi	2,562	45%
Breezy Point, MN	19 mi	656	21%
Crosslake, MN	25 mi	1,012	27%
Little Falls, MN	25 mi	2,345	39%
Long Prairie, MN	38 mi	887	35%
Wadena, MN	41 mi	803	46%

Hospices serving Baxter

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Good Samaritan Society Hospice	Nisswa, MN	10 mi	(218) 963-9452
Lakewood Health System Hospice	Staples, MN	23 mi	(218) 894-8080
Horizon Health Hospice	Pierz, MN	25 mi	(320) 468-2788
Moments Hospice	Saint Cloud, MN	56 mi	(320) 372-4300
St Croix Hospice	St. Cloud, MN	56 mi	(320) 201-5930

Nursing homes near Baxter (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Good Samaritan Society - Woodland	Brainerd, MN	3.3 mi	5 of 5	40	(218) 829-1429
Good Samaritan Society - Bethany	Brainerd, MN	3.8 mi	5 of 5	79	(218) 825-2593
Heartwood	Crosby, MN	19 mi	5 of 5	54	(218) 545-8500
Lakewood Health System	Staples, MN	25 mi	5 of 5	87	(218) 894-1515

Straight-line miles from the center of Baxter. 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 Baxter

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 34% of the $4,693 monthly median income of Baxter 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.

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 Baxter: common questions

Which hospices serve Baxter?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Baxter ZIP codes, including Good Samaritan Society Hospice, Lakewood Health System Hospice, Horizon Health Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Baxter?

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 34% of the $4,693 monthly median income of Baxter 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 Baxter. 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 near Baxter

More senior care near Baxter

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Baxter

More for Baxter 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 Baxter, MN