Respite Care in Clarion, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Clarion, PA: the local picture

399

residents 65 or older (9.5% of Clarion)

53%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Clarion County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Clarion ZIP codes

Most older adults in Clarion live with someone: 53% 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 119 Clarion residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (33% in Clarion County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Clarion ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Clarion compared with Clarion County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Clarion	Clarion County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	28%	30%
Residents 65 or older	9.5%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	2.0%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	11%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	9.3%	6.5%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,833	$44,144	—

Older residents in towns around Clarion

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Brookville, PA	16 mi	929	29%
Marienville, PA	22 mi	391	43%
Oil City, PA	23 mi	1,844	36%
Franklin, PA	26 mi	1,405	39%
Kittanning, PA	27 mi	1,045	53%
Punxsutawney, PA	28 mi	1,540	34%

Hospices serving Clarion

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Clarion Forest Vna Hospice	Clarion, PA	0.2 mi	(814) 297-8400
Penn Highlands Community Nurses	Saint Marys, PA	46 mi	(814) 781-1415
Aseracare Hospice	Waterford, PA	61 mi	(814) 836-5255

Nursing homes near Clarion (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Clarion Nursing And Rehab	Clarion, PA	0.5 mi	4 of 5	83	(814) 226-6380
Shippenville Nursing And Rehab	Shippenville, PA	3.3 mi	3 of 5	120	(814) 226-5660
Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor	Brookville, PA	13 mi	2 of 5	160	(814) 849-8026
Dr Arthur Clifton Mckinley Ctr	Brookville, PA	15 mi	4 of 5	90	(814) 849-3615

Straight-line miles from the center of Clarion. 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 Clarion

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,236 monthly median income of Clarion households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Clarion: common questions

Which hospices serve Clarion?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Clarion ZIP codes, including Clarion Forest Vna Hospice, Penn Highlands Community Nurses, Aseracare Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Clarion?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,236 monthly median income of Clarion households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Clarion. 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 Pennsylvania.

More near Clarion

More senior care near Clarion

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clarion

More for Clarion families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Clarion, PA