Respite Care in Carolina Shores, NC for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Carolina Shores, NC: the local picture

2,554

residents 65 or older (51% of Carolina Shores)

79%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Brunswick County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Carolina Shores ZIP codes

Most older adults in Carolina Shores live with someone: 79% 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 755 Carolina Shores residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (24% in Brunswick County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Carolina Shores ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Carolina Shores compared with Brunswick County and North Carolina

Census figure	Carolina Shores	Brunswick County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	24%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	20%	28%
Residents 65 or older	51%	34%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.4%	2.0%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.3%	5.7%	11%
Households with no vehicle	4.1%	2.4%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$63,737	$69,925	—

Older residents in towns around Carolina Shores

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Sunset Beach, NC	3.9 mi	2,599	24%
Little River, SC	4.3 mi	4,972	31%
North Myrtle Beach, SC	9.5 mi	8,266	28%
Shallotte, NC	12 mi	1,100	28%
Loris, SC	21 mi	581	44%
Carolina Forest, SC	22 mi	4,807	28%

Hospices serving Carolina Shores

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare	Myrtle Beach, SC	17 mi	(843) 848-6480
Medical Services Of America Hospice - Coastal	Myrtle Beach, SC	24 mi	(803) 957-0500
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare	Wilmington, NC	42 mi	(910) 796-7900
Liberty Home Care And Hospice	Wilmington, NC	45 mi	(910) 251-8111
Amedisys Hospice Care	Pembroke, NC	64 mi	(855) 809-0997

Nursing homes near Carolina Shores (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Brunswick Health & Rehab Center	Ash, NC	11 mi	1 of 5	100	(910) 287-6007
Autumn Care Of Shallotte	Shallotte, NC	12 mi	2 of 5	100	(910) 754-8858
Myrtle Beach Manor	Myrtle Beach, SC	16 mi	3 of 5	60	(843) 449-5283
Brightwater Skilled Nursing Center	Myrtle Beach, SC	18 mi	4 of 5	67	(843) 903-8300

Straight-line miles from the center of Carolina Shores. 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 Carolina Shores

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $5,311 monthly median income of Carolina Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Carolina Shores: common questions

Which hospices serve Carolina Shores?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Carolina Shores ZIP codes, including Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, Medical Services Of America Hospice - Coastal, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare.

How much does respite care cost in Carolina Shores?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $5,311 monthly median income of Carolina Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Carolina Shores. 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 North Carolina.

More near Carolina Shores

More senior care near Carolina Shores

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Carolina Shores

More for Carolina Shores 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 Carolina Shores, NC