Respite Care in Big Lake, AK: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Big Lake, AK: the local picture

560

residents 65 or older (16% of Big Lake)

80%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Matanuska-Susitna Borough)

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Big Lake ZIP codes

Most older adults in Big Lake live with someone: 80% 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 181 Big Lake residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (34% in Matanuska-Susitna Borough). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Big Lake ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Big Lake compared with Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Big Lake	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	34%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	26%	27%
Residents 65 or older	16%	14%	14%
Residents 85 or older	0.4%	0.9%	0.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.3%	9.4%	8.3%
Households with no vehicle	2.5%	3.8%	9.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$69,722	$63,354	—

Older residents in towns around Big Lake

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Knik-Fairview, AK	12 mi	2,183	28%
Meadow Lakes, AK	15 mi	1,113	37%
Wasilla, AK	18 mi	1,659	48%
Tanaina, AK	20 mi	964	34%
South Lakes, AK	22 mi	728	25%
North Lakes, AK	23 mi	1,321	29%

Hospices serving Big Lake

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Ancora Home Health & Hospice, LLC	Wasilla, AK	20 mi	(907) 561-9240

Nursing homes near Big Lake (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maple Springs Of Wasilla	Wasilla, AK	21 mi	5 of 5	67	(907) 841-1217
Polaris Transitional Care	Anchorage, AK	22 mi	3 of 5	50	(907) 212-9200
Centennial Post Acute	Anchorage, AK	22 mi	1 of 5	102	(907) 333-8100
Polaris Extended Care	Anchorage, AK	22 mi	2 of 5	96	(907) 212-9200

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Lake. 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 Big Lake

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,810 monthly median income of Big Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

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 Big Lake: common questions

Which hospices serve Big Lake?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Big Lake ZIP codes, including Ancora Home Health & Hospice, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Big Lake?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,810 monthly median income of Big Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 Big Lake. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care covers Alaska.

More near Big Lake

More senior care near Big Lake

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Big Lake

More for Big Lake 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 Big Lake, AK