Respite Care in Bellmead, TX: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bellmead, TX: the local picture

1,485

residents 65 or older (14% of Bellmead)

83%

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

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in McLennan County)

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bellmead ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bellmead live with someone: 83% 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 356 Bellmead residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (37% in McLennan County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 18 hospices serving Bellmead ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bellmead compared with McLennan County and Texas

Census figure	Bellmead	McLennan County	Texas
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	37%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	17%	25%	25%
Residents 65 or older	14%	15%	13%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.7%	1.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	10%	12%
Households with no vehicle	2.6%	5.3%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$69,141	$56,849	—

Older residents in towns around Bellmead

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lacy-Lakeview, TX	2.3 mi	800	46%
Waco, TX	6.6 mi	19,292	40%
Robinson, TX	11 mi	1,865	30%
Woodway, TX	11 mi	2,201	24%
Hewitt, TX	12 mi	3,097	36%
West, TX	14 mi	522	44%

Hospices serving Bellmead

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco	Waco, TX	5.5 mi	(254) 202-5100
Gentiva	Waco, TX	7.5 mi	(254) 399-0963
Magnolia Hospice	Waco, TX	7.5 mi	(254) 741-6570
Compassus - Central Texas	Waco, TX	7.5 mi	(254) 870-5174
Alamo Hospice Of Waco	Waco, TX	7.5 mi	(254) 313-0072

Nursing homes near Bellmead (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Atrium Of Bellmead	Bellmead, TX	3.2 mi	1 of 5	126	(254) 296-8976
Woodland Springs Nursing Center	Waco, TX	3.3 mi	1 of 5	132	(254) 752-9774
Crestview Healthcare Residence	Waco, TX	5.1 mi	4 of 5	192	(254) 753-0291
Ivy Creek Wellness & Rehabilitation	Waco, TX	5.5 mi	1 of 5	162	(254) 752-0311

Straight-line miles from the center of Bellmead. 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 Bellmead

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 18% of the $5,762 monthly median income of Bellmead 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 Bellmead: common questions

Which hospices serve Bellmead?

Medicare lists 18 hospices for Bellmead ZIP codes, including Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco, Gentiva, Magnolia Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Bellmead?

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 18% of the $5,762 monthly median income of Bellmead 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 Bellmead. 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 Bellmead

More senior care near Bellmead

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bellmead

More for Bellmead 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 Bellmead, TX