Respite Care in Charleston, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Charleston, IL: the local picture

2,604

residents 65 or older (15% of Charleston)

48%

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

50%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Coles County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Charleston ZIP codes

Most older adults in Charleston live with someone: 48% 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 1,184 Charleston residents aged 65 or older report a disability (50%) (39% in Coles County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Charleston ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Charleston compared with Coles County and Illinois

Census figure	Charleston	Coles County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	39%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	52%	38%	30%
Residents 65 or older	15%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.9%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.7%	10%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	8.7%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,677	$49,559	—

Older residents in towns around Charleston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Mattoon, IL	9.9 mi	3,203	41%
Arcola, IL	15 mi	401	46%
Tuscola, IL	22 mi	781	32%
Sullivan, IL	24 mi	762	33%
Marshall, IL	27 mi	896	23%
Paris, IL	28 mi	1,757	31%

Hospices serving Charleston

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice	Charleston, IL	0.2 mi	(800) 454-4055
Hshs Hospice Illinois	Effingham, IL	32 mi	(217) 347-1777
Haven Hospice IL, LLC	Chrisman, IL	35 mi	(217) 728-3200
Carle Hospice	Champaign, IL	45 mi	(800) 239-3620
Transitions Hospice Central Illinois LLC	Champaign, IL	45 mi	(217) 212-9121

Nursing homes near Charleston (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Charleston Rehab And Nursing	Charleston, IL	1.0 mi	1 of 5	139	(217) 345-7054
Hilltop Skilled Nsg & Rehab	Charleston, IL	7.6 mi	2 of 5	108	(217) 345-7066
Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home	Mattoon, IL	9.2 mi	1 of 5	162	(217) 235-5449
Mattoon Rehab & Hcc	Mattoon, IL	10 mi	1 of 5	148	(217) 235-7138

Straight-line miles from the center of Charleston. 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 Charleston

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $3,306 monthly median income of Charleston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 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 Charleston: common questions

Which hospices serve Charleston?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Charleston ZIP codes, including Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice, Hshs Hospice Illinois, Haven Hospice IL, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Charleston?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $3,306 monthly median income of Charleston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Charleston. 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 Illinois.

More near Charleston

More senior care near Charleston

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Charleston

More for Charleston 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 Charleston, IL