Respite Care in Beaufort, NC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Beaufort, NC: the local picture

1,652

residents 65 or older (35% of Beaufort)

55%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Carteret County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Beaufort ZIP codes

Most older adults in Beaufort live with someone: 55% 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 437 Beaufort residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (34% in Carteret County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Beaufort compared with Carteret County and North Carolina

Census figure	Beaufort	Carteret County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	34%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	28%	28%
Residents 65 or older	35%	27%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	2.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	7.9%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.0%	3.7%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,587	$61,173	—

Older residents in towns around Beaufort

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Morehead City, NC	5.0 mi	2,223	39%
Newport, NC	13 mi	909	55%
Havelock, NC	19 mi	1,069	48%
Emerald Isle, NC	22 mi	1,449	23%
Cape Carteret, NC	23 mi	722	35%
Neuse Forest, NC	24 mi	500	24%

Hospices serving Beaufort

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Carteret County	Morehead City, NC	5.8 mi	(252) 808-6085
Community Hospice LLC	New Bern, NC	37 mi	(252) 672-8301
Continuum Home Care & Hospice	Jacksonville, NC	41 mi	(910) 989-2682
3HC	Goldsboro, NC	85 mi	(919) 735-5887
Pruitthealth Hospice - Rocky Mount	Rocky Mount, NC	111 mi	(252) 442-9126

Nursing homes near Beaufort (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Crystal Bluffs Rehabilitation And Health Care Cent	Morehead City, NC	6.1 mi	5 of 5	92	(252) 726-0031
Embassy At Morehead City	Morehead City, NC	6.1 mi	not rated	42	(252) 515-7700
Pruitthealth-Crystal Coast	Beaufort, NC	7.5 mi	3 of 5	104	(252) 225-0112
Croatan Ridge Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Newport, NC	14 mi	4 of 5	64	(252) 223-2560

Straight-line miles from the center of Beaufort. 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 Beaufort

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,132 monthly median income of Beaufort households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 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 Beaufort: common questions

Which hospices serve Beaufort?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Beaufort ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Carteret County, Community Hospice LLC, Continuum Home Care & Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Beaufort?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,132 monthly median income of Beaufort households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Beaufort. 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 North Carolina.

More near Beaufort

More senior care near Beaufort

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Beaufort

More for Beaufort 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 Beaufort, NC