Respite Care in Benton, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Benton, AR: the local picture

5,892

residents 65 or older (16% of Benton)

73%

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

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Saline County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Benton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Benton live with someone: 73% 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 2,402 Benton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (42%) (35% in Saline County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Benton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Benton compared with Saline County and Arkansas

Census figure	Benton	Saline County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	35%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	21%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.3%	6.4%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.0%	3.2%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,696	$59,936	—

Older residents in towns around Benton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Salem, AR	3.7 mi	759	31%
Bryant, AR	5.3 mi	2,894	38%
Haskell, AR	6.1 mi	537	39%
Alexander, AR	7.5 mi	299	31%
Shannon Hills, AR	10 mi	719	55%
East End, AR	14 mi	1,103	20%

Hospices serving Benton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Bryant, AR	5.0 mi	(501) 315-0136
Baptist Health Hospice Little Rock	Little Rock, AR	11 mi	(501) 202-7474
Hospice Home Care LLC	Little Rock, AR	14 mi	(501) 296-9043
Gentiva	Little Rock, AR	18 mi	(501) 223-8868
Gentiva	Hot Springs, AR	22 mi	(501) 781-4033

Nursing homes near Benton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heartland Rehabilitation And Care Center	Benton, AR	1.3 mi	5 of 5	140	(501) 778-8200
Alcoa Pines Health And Rehabilitation	Benton, AR	1.5 mi	3 of 5	120	(501) 315-1700
Amberwood Health And Rehabilitation	Benton, AR	2.4 mi	5 of 5	101	(501) 778-5401
Arkansas Health Center	Benton, AR	4.0 mi	5 of 5	290	(501) 860-0500

Straight-line miles from the center of Benton. 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 Benton

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,391 monthly median income of Benton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Benton: common questions

Which hospices serve Benton?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Benton ZIP codes, including Elite Hospice, Baptist Health Hospice Little Rock, Hospice Home Care LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Benton?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $4,391 monthly median income of Benton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Benton. 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 Arkansas.

More near Benton

More senior care near Benton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Benton

More for Benton 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 Benton, AR