Respite Care in Bemidji, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bemidji, MN: the local picture

2,661

residents 65 or older (17% of Bemidji)

51%

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

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Beltrami County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bemidji ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bemidji live with someone: 51% 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 1,058 Bemidji residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (36% in Beltrami County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Bemidji ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bemidji compared with Beltrami County and Minnesota

Census figure	Bemidji	Beltrami County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	36%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	49%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.3%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	12%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	5.9%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,461	$54,726	—

Older residents in towns around Bemidji

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Park Rapids, MN	40 mi	1,210	42%
Cohasset, MN	59 mi	675	25%
Detroit Lakes, MN	65 mi	2,539	36%
Grand Rapids, MN	65 mi	2,729	30%
Crosslake, MN	67 mi	1,012	27%
Breezy Point, MN	68 mi	656	21%

Hospices serving Bemidji

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Sanford Bemidji Hospice	Bemidji, MN	7.0 mi	(218) 333-5665
Essentia Health Hospice West	Fosston, MN	41 mi	(218) 435-1133
St Croix Hospice	Grand Rapids, MN	67 mi	(218) 212-7915
Hia Hospice	Fargo, ND	104 mi	(701) 356-1500
Vivie Hospice	Alexandria, MN	113 mi	(320) 759-1275

Nursing homes near Bemidji (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Havenwood Care Center	Bemidji, MN	0.4 mi	2 of 5	65	(218) 444-1745
Neilson Place	Bemidji, MN	1.4 mi	1 of 5	78	(218) 751-0220
Good Samaritan Society - Blackduck	Blackduck, MN	23 mi	1 of 5	30	(218) 835-3410
Cornerstone Nsg & Rehab Center	Bagley, MN	24 mi	5 of 5	47	(218) 694-6552

Straight-line miles from the center of Bemidji. 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 Bemidji

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 38% of the $4,205 monthly median income of Bemidji 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 Bemidji: common questions

Which hospices serve Bemidji?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Bemidji ZIP codes, including Sanford Bemidji Hospice, Essentia Health Hospice West, St Croix Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Bemidji?

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 38% of the $4,205 monthly median income of Bemidji 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 Bemidji. 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 Bemidji

More senior care near Bemidji

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bemidji

More for Bemidji 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 Bemidji, MN