Respite Care in Benson, NC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Benson, NC: the local picture

816

residents 65 or older (19% of Benson)

51%

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

27%

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

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Benson ZIP codes

Most older adults in Benson 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 196 Benson residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (34% in Johnston County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Benson ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Benson compared with Johnston County and North Carolina

Census figure	Benson	Johnston County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	34%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	49%	27%	28%
Residents 65 or older	19%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.3%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	9.6%	11%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	3.7%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,539	$53,545	—

Older residents in towns around Benson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dunn, NC	6.6 mi	1,916	47%
Erwin, NC	8.7 mi	1,019	35%
Buies Creek, NC	11 mi	332	36%
Angier, NC	14 mi	1,061	48%
Smithfield, NC	14 mi	2,473	45%
Lillington, NC	15 mi	681	21%

Hospices serving Benson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Johnston Health Home Care And Hospice	Smithfield, NC	14 mi	(919) 938-7505
Transitions Lifecare	Raleigh, NC	30 mi	(919) 828-0890
Heartland Hospice (Raleigh )	Raleigh, NC	32 mi	(919) 877-9959
Gentiva	Fayetteville, NC	32 mi	(910) 323-9816
3HC	Goldsboro, NC	35 mi	(919) 735-5887

Nursing homes near Benson (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Of	Benson, NC	1.1 mi	2 of 5	100	(919) 207-1717
The Carrolton Of Dunn	Dunn, NC	7.5 mi	1 of 5	100	(910) 892-8843
Harnett Woods Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Dunn, NC	7.9 mi	5 of 5	100	(910) 891-4600
Lillington Health And Rehabilitation Center	Lillington, NC	13 mi	1 of 5	129	(910) 983-5141

Straight-line miles from the center of Benson. 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 Benson

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 35% of the $3,712 monthly median income of Benson 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 Benson: common questions

Which hospices serve Benson?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Benson ZIP codes, including Johnston Health Home Care And Hospice, Transitions Lifecare, Heartland Hospice (Raleigh ).

How much does respite care cost in Benson?

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 35% of the $3,712 monthly median income of Benson 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 Benson. 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 Benson

More senior care near Benson

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Benson

More for Benson 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 Benson, NC