Respite Care in Clearwater, SC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Clearwater, SC: the local picture

338

residents 65 or older (10% of Clearwater)

71%

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

55%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Aiken County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Clearwater ZIP codes

Most older adults in Clearwater 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 186 Clearwater residents aged 65 or older report a disability (55%) (34% in Aiken County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Clearwater ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Clearwater compared with Aiken County and South Carolina

Census figure	Clearwater	Aiken County	South Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	55%	34%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	24%	27%
Residents 65 or older	10%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	2.2%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	31%	12%	11%
Households with no vehicle	6.1%	5.9%	5.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,393	$57,237	—

Older residents in towns around Clearwater

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Belvedere, SC	2.8 mi	756	30%
Burnettown, SC	3.0 mi	441	28%
North Augusta, SC	3.0 mi	4,801	30%
Gloverville, SC	5.9 mi	357	36%
Aiken, SC	11 mi	9,475	32%
Martinez, GA	11 mi	5,959	38%

Hospices serving Clearwater

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Aiken, SC	12 mi	(803) 648-2117
Trinity Hospice Of Aiken	Aiken, SC	12 mi	(803) 641-8220
Empyrean Hospice Of South Carolina	Aiken, SC	12 mi	(803) 233-2882
Agape Care South Carolina Ii	Spartanburg, SC	96 mi	(800) 932-2738
Crescent Hospice	Bluffton, SC	105 mi	(843) 757-9388

Nursing homes near Clearwater (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pruitthealth- North Augusta	North Augusta, SC	2.4 mi	3 of 5	132	(803) 278-2170
Nhc Healthcare - North Augusta	North Augusta, SC	4.4 mi	4 of 5	192	(803) 278-4272
Pruitthealth - Augusta Hills	Augusta, GA	5.9 mi	4 of 5	94	(706) 737-8258
Azalea Health Center By Harborview	Augusta, GA	6.7 mi	2 of 5	99	(706) 738-3301

Straight-line miles from the center of Clearwater. 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 Clearwater

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $2,783 monthly median income of Clearwater households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Clearwater: common questions

Which hospices serve Clearwater?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Clearwater ZIP codes, including Gentiva, Trinity Hospice Of Aiken, Empyrean Hospice Of South Carolina.

How much does respite care cost in Clearwater?

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $2,783 monthly median income of Clearwater households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Clearwater. 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 South Carolina.

More near Clearwater

More senior care near Clearwater

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clearwater

More for Clearwater 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 Clearwater, SC