Respite Care in Brainerd, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Brainerd, MN: the local picture

2,562

residents 65 or older (18% of Brainerd)

52%

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Crow Wing County)

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Brainerd ZIP codes

Most older adults in Brainerd live with someone: 52% 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 1,053 Brainerd residents aged 65 or older report a disability (45%) (30% in Crow Wing County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Brainerd ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Brainerd compared with Crow Wing County and Minnesota

Census figure	Brainerd	Crow Wing County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	30%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	18%	24%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	3.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	9.0%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	13%	4.9%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,250	$56,498	—

Older residents in towns around Brainerd

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Baxter, MN	3.8 mi	2,095	26%
Breezy Point, MN	18 mi	656	21%
Crosslake, MN	23 mi	1,012	27%
Little Falls, MN	27 mi	2,345	39%
Long Prairie, MN	41 mi	887	35%
Wadena, MN	45 mi	803	46%

Hospices serving Brainerd

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Good Samaritan Society Hospice	Nisswa, MN	11 mi	(218) 963-9452
Horizon Health Hospice	Pierz, MN	25 mi	(320) 468-2788
Lakewood Health System Hospice	Staples, MN	27 mi	(218) 894-8080
Chi Health At Home	Little Falls, MN	27 mi	(320) 631-5575
Moments Hospice	Saint Cloud, MN	56 mi	(320) 372-4300

Nursing homes near Brainerd (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Good Samaritan Society - Bethany	Brainerd, MN	1.3 mi	5 of 5	79	(218) 825-2593
Good Samaritan Society - Woodland	Brainerd, MN	1.8 mi	5 of 5	40	(218) 829-1429
Heartwood	Crosby, MN	15 mi	5 of 5	54	(218) 545-8500

Straight-line miles from the center of Brainerd. 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 Brainerd

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd: common questions

Which hospices serve Brainerd?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Brainerd ZIP codes, including Good Samaritan Society Hospice, Horizon Health Hospice, Lakewood Health System Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Brainerd?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd. 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 Minnesota.

More near Brainerd

More senior care near Brainerd

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Brainerd

More for Brainerd 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 Brainerd, MN