Respite Care in Branson, MO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Branson, MO: the local picture

3,191

residents 65 or older (25% of Branson)

66%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Taney County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Branson ZIP codes

Most older adults in Branson live with someone: 66% 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 1,228 Branson residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (34% in Taney County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Branson compared with Taney County and Missouri

Census figure	Branson	Taney County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	34%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	25%	30%
Residents 65 or older	25%	23%	18%
Residents 85 or older	4.2%	2.3%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	11%	10%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	4.4%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,084	$46,147	—

Older residents in towns around Branson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hollister, MO	3.3 mi	878	15%
Forsyth, MO	12 mi	1,007	48%
Green Forest, AR	21 mi	255	49%
Berryville, AR	23 mi	889	41%
Harrison, AR	27 mi	3,118	43%
Ozark, MO	29 mi	3,268	30%

Hospices serving Branson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Compassus-Tri Lakes Missouri	Branson, MO	4.6 mi	(417) 335-2004
Haven Hospice	Ozark, MO	28 mi	(417) 731-7055
Preferred Hospice Of Missouri (Southwest), LLC	Ozark, MO	28 mi	(417) 581-4968
Terrace Hospice	Springfield, MO	35 mi	(417) 244-0000
Faith Hospice Of The Ozarks, LLC	Rogersville, MO	37 mi	(417) 840-7776

Nursing homes near Branson (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Point Lookout Nursing & Rehab	Hollister, MO	4.8 mi	2 of 5	130	(417) 334-4105
Shepherd Of The Hills Living Center	Branson, MO	4.9 mi	2 of 5	100	(417) 334-6431
Forsyth Rehabilitation & Health Care Center	Forsyth, MO	11 mi	2 of 5	120	(417) 546-6337
The Blossoms At Berryville Rehab & Nursing Center	Berryville, AR	23 mi	1 of 5	114	(870) 423-6966

Straight-line miles from the center of Branson. 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 Branson

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 37% of the $3,757 monthly median income of Branson 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 Branson: common questions

Which hospices serve Branson?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Branson ZIP codes, including Hospice Compassus-Tri Lakes Missouri, Haven Hospice, Preferred Hospice Of Missouri (Southwest), LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Branson?

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 37% of the $3,757 monthly median income of Branson 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 Branson. 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 Branson

More senior care near Branson

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Branson

More for Branson 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 Branson, MO