Respite Care in Clifton, CO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Clifton, CO: the local picture

2,972

residents 65 or older (15% of Clifton)

66%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Mesa County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Clifton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Clifton live with someone: 66% 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 1,195 Clifton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (35% in Mesa County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Clifton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Clifton compared with Mesa County and Colorado

Census figure	Clifton	Mesa County	Colorado
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	32%	28%
Residents 65 or older	15%	21%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	2.3%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	3.7%	6.0%	5.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,469	$53,220	—

Older residents in towns around Clifton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fruitvale, CO	1.5 mi	1,856	34%
Orchard Mesa, CO	4.3 mi	1,615	32%
Grand Junction, CO	5.8 mi	14,336	37%
Palisade, CO	5.9 mi	684	54%
Redlands, CO	10 mi	2,808	26%
Fruita, CO	15 mi	2,624	32%

Hospices serving Clifton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Abode Hospice Of Colorado	Grand Junction, CO	5.1 mi	(970) 658-8705
Hopewest Grand Junction	Grand Junction, CO	5.1 mi	(970) 241-2212

Nursing homes near Clifton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mantey Heights Rehabilitation & Care Center	Grand Junction, CO	3.9 mi	1 of 5	88	(970) 242-7356
Eagle Ridge Post Acute	Grand Junction, CO	4.3 mi	2 of 5	70	(970) 243-3381
Red Cliffs Post Acute	Grand Junction, CO	4.9 mi	2 of 5	89	(970) 243-7211
Larchwood Health And Rehab LLC	Grand Junction, CO	4.9 mi	2 of 5	130	(970) 245-0022

Straight-line miles from the center of Clifton. 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 Clifton

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,456 monthly median income of Clifton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Clifton: common questions

Which hospices serve Clifton?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Clifton ZIP codes, including Abode Hospice Of Colorado, Hopewest Grand Junction.

How much does respite care cost in Clifton?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,456 monthly median income of Clifton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Clifton. 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 Colorado.

More near Clifton

More senior care near Clifton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clifton

More for Clifton 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 Clifton, CO