Respite Care in Bolivar, MO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bolivar, MO: the local picture

2,283

residents 65 or older (20% of Bolivar)

51%

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

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Polk County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bolivar ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bolivar live with someone: 51% 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 952 Bolivar residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (38% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Bolivar ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bolivar compared with Polk County and Missouri

Census figure	Bolivar	Polk County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	38%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	49%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	4.5%	2.5%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	16%	10%
Households with no vehicle	5.1%	4.3%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,158	$40,120	—

Older residents in towns around Bolivar

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Buffalo, MO	18 mi	454	55%
Willard, MO	22 mi	667	35%
Strafford, MO	29 mi	281	36%
Springfield, MO	29 mi	27,514	38%
Republic, MO	30 mi	3,124	41%
Marshfield, MO	33 mi	1,492	34%

Hospices serving Bolivar

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Citizens Memorial Hospice	Bolivar, MO	0.3 mi	(417) 326-3585
St Croix Hospice	Bolivar, MO	0.3 mi	(417) 777-2703
Seasons Hospice, Inc	Springfield, MO	25 mi	(417) 890-5533
Regional Hospice	Springfield, MO	28 mi	(417) 832-0577
Hospice Compassus-Southwest Missouri	Springfield, MO	31 mi	(417) 882-0453

Nursing homes near Bolivar (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility	Bolivar, MO	0.7 mi	2 of 5	111	(417) 326-7648
Parkview Health Care Facility	Bolivar, MO	1.1 mi	4 of 5	78	(417) 326-3000
Big Spring Care Center For Rehab And Healthcare	Humansville, MO	15 mi	1 of 5	60	(417) 754-8711
Northwood Hills Care Center	Humansville, MO	16 mi	2 of 5	120	(417) 754-2208

Straight-line miles from the center of Bolivar. 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 Bolivar

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,180 monthly median income of Bolivar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Bolivar: common questions

Which hospices serve Bolivar?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Bolivar ZIP codes, including Citizens Memorial Hospice, St Croix Hospice, Seasons Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Bolivar?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,180 monthly median income of Bolivar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Bolivar. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver covers Missouri.

More near Bolivar

More senior care near Bolivar

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bolivar

More for Bolivar 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 Bolivar, MO