Respite Care in Box Elder, SD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Box Elder, SD: the local picture

963

residents 65 or older (7.5% of Box Elder)

78%

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Pennington County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Box Elder ZIP codes

Most older adults in Box Elder live with someone: 78% 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 434 Box Elder residents aged 65 or older report a disability (45%) (33% in Pennington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Box Elder ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Box Elder compared with Pennington County and South Dakota

Census figure	Box Elder	Pennington County	South Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	22%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	7.5%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	0.1%	2.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	8.9%	10%
Households with no vehicle	1.3%	5.6%	5.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,727	$56,451	—

Older residents in towns around Box Elder

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Rapid Valley, SD	3.6 mi	1,292	37%
Rapid City, SD	7.3 mi	16,108	33%
Blackhawk, SD	13 mi	550	41%
Colonial Pine Hills, SD	13 mi	793	42%
Summerset, SD	14 mi	248	29%
Sturgis, SD	29 mi	1,375	42%

Hospices serving Box Elder

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Monument Health Home Plus Hospice	Rapid City, SD	12 mi	(605) 755-7710
Stillwater Hospice Of South Dakota	Rapid City, SD	16 mi	(605) 745-4967

Nursing homes near Box Elder (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Avantara North	Rapid City, SD	7.4 mi	3 of 5	68	(605) 343-4958
Avantara Saint Cloud	Rapid City, SD	7.9 mi	2 of 5	78	(605) 343-4738
Westhills Village Health Care Facility	Rapid City, SD	8.1 mi	5 of 5	44	(605) 342-0255
Fountain Springs Healthcare	Rapid City, SD	8.4 mi	3 of 5	90	(605) 343-3555

Straight-line miles from the center of Box Elder. 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 Box Elder

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,977 monthly median income of Box Elder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Box Elder: common questions

Which hospices serve Box Elder?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Box Elder ZIP codes, including Monument Health Home Plus Hospice, Stillwater Hospice Of South Dakota.

How much does respite care cost in Box Elder?

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,977 monthly median income of Box Elder households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Box Elder. 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 South Dakota.

More near Box Elder

More senior care near Box Elder

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 Box Elder, SD