Respite Care in Cape Girardeau, MO
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Cape Girardeau for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Cape Girardeau, MO: the local picture
Most older adults in Cape Girardeau live with someone: 62% 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 2,622 Cape Girardeau residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (33% in Cape Girardeau County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Cape Girardeau ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Cape Girardeau compared with Cape Girardeau County and Missouri
| Census figure | Cape Girardeau | Cape Girardeau County | Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 36% | 33% | 34% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 32% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 18% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 11% | 10% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.5% | 5.9% | 6.6% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $47,405 | $49,089 | — |
Older residents in towns around Cape Girardeau
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott City, MO | 6.0 mi | 562 | 29% |
| Jackson, MO | 7.2 mi | 2,688 | 32% |
| Chaffee, MO | 11 mi | 540 | 48% |
| Anna, IL | 20 mi | 999 | 42% |
| Sikeston, MO | 29 mi | 3,549 | 38% |
| Charleston, MO | 30 mi | 656 | 44% |
Hospices serving Cape Girardeau
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospice | Cape Girardeau, MO | 0.9 mi | (573) 335-6208 |
| Crown Hospice, Inc | Cape Girardeau, MO | 2.2 mi | (573) 335-4800 |
| Providence Home Health & Hospice | Cape Girardeau, MO | 2.2 mi | (573) 334-1515 |
| Saint Francis Hospice | Cape Girardeau, MO | 2.2 mi | (573) 331-5180 |
| Elite Hospice | Sikeston, MO | 29 mi | (573) 472-6163 |
Nursing homes near Cape Girardeau (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Girardeau | Cape Girardeau, MO | 0.6 mi | 3 of 5 | 75 | (573) 335-1281 |
| Life Care Center Of Cape Girardeau | Cape Girardeau, MO | 0.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (573) 335-2086 |
| Lutheran Home, The | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.1 mi | 5 of 5 | 274 | (573) 335-0158 |
| Ratliff Care Center | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 46 | (573) 335-5810 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Cape Girardeau. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Cape Girardeau
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 35% of the $3,950 monthly median income of Cape Girardeau 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.
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.
Respite Care in Cape Girardeau: common questions
Which hospices serve Cape Girardeau?
Medicare lists 11 hospices for Cape Girardeau ZIP codes, including Mercy Hospice, Crown Hospice, Inc, Providence Home Health & Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Cape Girardeau?
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 35% of the $3,950 monthly median income of Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau. 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 senior care near Cape Girardeau
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Scott City, MO
- Respite Care in Jackson, MO
- Respite Care in Chaffee, MO
- Respite Care in Anna, IL
- Respite Care in Sikeston, MO
- Respite Care in Charleston, MO
- Respite Care in Perryville, MO
- Respite Care in Carbondale, IL
- Respite Care in Murphysboro, IL
- Respite Care in East Prairie, MO
- Respite Care in Carterville, IL
- Respite Care in Dexter, MO
- Respite Care in Herrin, IL
- Respite Care in Fredericktown, MO
- Respite Care in Marion, IL
- Respite Care in Chester, IL
Other care in Cape Girardeau
- Companion Care in Cape Girardeau
- Dementia Care in Cape Girardeau
- Live-In Caregivers in Cape Girardeau
- Post-Surgery Care in Cape Girardeau
- Senior Transportation in Cape Girardeau
- Home Health Aides in Cape Girardeau
- Nursing Assistants in Cape Girardeau
- Personal Care in Cape Girardeau
- Overnight Caregivers in Cape Girardeau
- 24-Hour Home Care in Cape Girardeau
- Mobility Assistance in Cape Girardeau
- Parkinson’s Care in Cape Girardeau
- Stroke Recovery Support in Cape Girardeau
- Disability Care for Adults in Cape Girardeau
- Hospice Support in Cape Girardeau
- Senior Meal Preparation in Cape Girardeau
- Senior Housekeeping in Cape Girardeau
- Medication Reminders in Cape Girardeau
- Veterans’ Home Care in Cape Girardeau
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.
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