Respite Care in Big Stone Gap, VA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Big Stone Gap, VA: the local picture

924

residents 65 or older (18% of Big Stone Gap)

70%

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

61%

of residents 65+ report a disability (54% in Wise County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Big Stone Gap ZIP codes

Most older adults in Big Stone Gap live with someone: 70% 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 469 Big Stone Gap residents aged 65 or older report a disability (61%) (54% in Wise County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Big Stone Gap ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Big Stone Gap compared with Wise County and Virginia

Census figure	Big Stone Gap	Wise County	Virginia
Residents 65+ with a disability	61%	54%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	29%	27%
Residents 65 or older	18%	20%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	25%	16%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	16%	9.1%	6.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,795	$35,825	—

Older residents in towns around Big Stone Gap

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Norton, VA	9.6 mi	761	44%
Wise, VA	13 mi	514	61%
Mount Carmel, TN	21 mi	1,272	39%
Church Hill, TN	24 mi	1,706	36%
Bloomingdale, TN	24 mi	2,040	47%
Kingsport, TN	27 mi	13,132	41%

Hospices serving Big Stone Gap

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice & Palliative Care Of Virginia	Norton, VA	9.8 mi	(276) 679-7212
Caris Healthcare, LP (Abingdon)	Abingdon, VA	44 mi	(276) 494-0465
Ballad Health Hospice	Abingdon, VA	44 mi	(276) 619-4500
Medical Services Of America Home Health & Hospice	Richlands, VA	56 mi	(276) 964-4202

Nursing homes near Big Stone Gap (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heritage Hall Big Stone Gap	Big Stone Gap, VA	1.4 mi	4 of 5	180	(276) 523-3000
Norton Community Hospital SNF Unit	Norton, VA	8.6 mi	5 of 5	44	(276) 679-9100
Ridgecrest Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation	Duffield, VA	10 mi	4 of 5	120	(276) 431-2841
Heritage Hall Wise	Wise, VA	14 mi	4 of 5	97	(276) 328-2721

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Stone Gap. 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 Stone Gap

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,233 monthly median income of Big Stone Gap households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Stone Gap: common questions

Which hospices serve Big Stone Gap?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Big Stone Gap ZIP codes, including Hospice & Palliative Care Of Virginia, Caris Healthcare, LP (Abingdon), Ballad Health Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Big Stone Gap?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,233 monthly median income of Big Stone Gap households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Stone Gap. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus covers Virginia.

More near Big Stone Gap

More senior care near Big Stone Gap

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Big Stone Gap

More for Big Stone Gap 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 Stone Gap, VA