Respite Care in Blytheville, AR for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Blytheville, AR: the local picture

2,302

residents 65 or older (18% of Blytheville)

65%

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

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (46% in Mississippi County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Blytheville ZIP codes

Most older adults in Blytheville live with someone: 65% 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 976 Blytheville residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (46% in Mississippi County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Blytheville compared with Mississippi County and Arkansas

Census figure	Blytheville	Mississippi County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	46%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	35%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	13%	12%
Households with no vehicle	14%	11%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,524	$41,458	—

Older residents in towns around Blytheville

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Gosnell, AR	4.1 mi	425	41%
Manila, AR	15 mi	551	41%
Osceola, AR	17 mi	884	52%
Caruthersville, MO	22 mi	894	54%
Kennett, MO	23 mi	2,130	43%
Ripley, TN	25 mi	1,060	48%

Hospices serving Blytheville

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Legacy Hospice, Inc	Osceola, AR	17 mi	(870) 563-9995
Elite Hospice	Jonesboro, AR	45 mi	(870) 277-4029
St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H	Jonesboro, AR	45 mi	(870) 972-4507
River Valley Hospice	Marion, AR	53 mi	(870) 735-2824
Gentiva	Forrest City, AR	81 mi	(870) 494-8067

Nursing homes near Blytheville (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heritage Square Healthcare Center	Blytheville, AR	0.7 mi	4 of 5	86	(870) 763-3654
Gosnell Health And Rehab	Gosnell, AR	4.2 mi	3 of 5	70	(870) 532-5550
River Oaks Care Center	Steele, MO	12 mi	3 of 5	90	(573) 695-2121
Manila Healthcare Center	Manila, AR	15 mi	3 of 5	84	(870) 561-3342

Straight-line miles from the center of Blytheville. 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 Blytheville

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 28% of the $4,127 monthly median income of Blytheville 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 Blytheville: common questions

Which hospices serve Blytheville?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Blytheville ZIP codes, including Legacy Hospice, Inc, Elite Hospice, St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H.

How much does respite care cost in Blytheville?

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 28% of the $4,127 monthly median income of Blytheville 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 Blytheville. 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 Blytheville

More senior care near Blytheville

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Blytheville

More for Blytheville 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 Blytheville, AR