Respite Care in Bessemer City, NC for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bessemer City, NC: the local picture

941

residents 65 or older (17% of Bessemer City)

61%

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

43%

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

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bessemer City ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bessemer City live with someone: 61% 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 407 Bessemer City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (36% in Gaston County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Bessemer City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bessemer City compared with Gaston County and North Carolina

Census figure	Bessemer City	Gaston County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	30%	28%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	24%	12%	11%
Households with no vehicle	6.9%	5.1%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,861	$44,483	—

Older residents in towns around Bessemer City

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Kings Mountain, NC	5.1 mi	2,041	43%
Gastonia, NC	6.0 mi	12,357	37%
Dallas, NC	6.1 mi	817	42%
Ranlo, NC	8.7 mi	762	44%
Cherryville, NC	8.8 mi	1,248	39%
Lowell, NC	10 mi	607	45%

Hospices serving Bessemer City

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Carolina Caring	Gastonia, NC	8.8 mi	(704) 861-8405
Via Health Partners - Cleveland	Shelby, NC	16 mi	(704) 487-4677
Carolina Caring	Newton, NC	25 mi	(828) 466-0466
Hospice And Community Care	Rock Hill, SC	26 mi	(803) 329-1500
Novant Health Hospice And Palliative Care A Department Of Novant Health	Charlotte, NC	26 mi	(704) 384-6478

Nursing homes near Bessemer City (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
White Oak Manor-Kings Mountain	Kings Mountain, NC	5.0 mi	2 of 5	154	(704) 739-8132
Belmont Health & Rehabilitation	Gastonia, NC	5.1 mi	4 of 5	118	(704) 864-0371
Belaire Health Care Center	Gastonia, NC	5.6 mi	2 of 5	80	(704) 867-7300
Gastonia Health & Rehab Center	Gastonia, NC	7.0 mi	1 of 5	60	(704) 853-8175

Straight-line miles from the center of Bessemer City. 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 Bessemer City

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 41% of the $3,155 monthly median income of Bessemer City 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 Bessemer City: common questions

Which hospices serve Bessemer City?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Bessemer City ZIP codes, including Carolina Caring, Via Health Partners - Cleveland, Carolina Caring.

How much does respite care cost in Bessemer City?

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 41% of the $3,155 monthly median income of Bessemer City 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 Bessemer City. 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 Bessemer City

More senior care near Bessemer City

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bessemer City

More for Bessemer City 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 Bessemer City, NC