Respite Care in Chester, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Chester, IL: the local picture

1,019

residents 65 or older (15% of Chester)

71%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (42% in Randolph County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Chester live with someone: 71% 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 265 Chester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (42% in Randolph County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Chester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Chester compared with Randolph County and Illinois

Census figure	Chester	Randolph County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	42%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	15%	21%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.5%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	8.8%	10%
Households with no vehicle	9.0%	6.7%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$72,614	$52,235	—

Older residents in towns around Chester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Ste. Genevieve, MO	13 mi	1,326	32%
Perryville, MO	14 mi	1,370	32%
Sparta, IL	16 mi	1,035	63%
Red Bud, IL	22 mi	798	45%
Murphysboro, IL	29 mi	1,462	44%
Pinckneyville, IL	29 mi	807	50%

Hospices serving Chester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Maple Creek Hospice Inc	Sparta, IL	16 mi	(618) 443-4671
Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc	Belleville, IL	41 mi	(618) 235-1703
Breeze Hospice	Shiloh, IL	43 mi	(618) 416-6410
Family Hospice Of Belleville Area	Belleville, IL	43 mi	(618) 277-1800
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest	Fairview Heights, IL	47 mi	(618) 622-9073

Nursing homes near Chester (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Three Springs Sr Living & Rhab	Chester, IL	0.6 mi	2 of 5	83	(618) 826-3210
St Genevieve Nursing	Sainte Genevieve, MO	13 mi	5 of 5	90	(573) 883-5725
Independence Care Center Of Perry County	Perryville, MO	13 mi	3 of 5	133	(573) 547-6546
Riverview At The Park Care And Rehabilitation Cent	Sainte Genevieve, MO	13 mi	4 of 5	120	(573) 883-3454

Straight-line miles from the center of Chester. 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 Chester

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 26% of the $6,051 monthly median income of Chester 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 Chester: common questions

Which hospices serve Chester?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Chester ZIP codes, including Maple Creek Hospice Inc, Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc, Breeze Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Chester?

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 26% of the $6,051 monthly median income of Chester 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 Chester. 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 Chester

More senior care near Chester

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chester

More for Chester 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 Chester, IL