College, Alaska

Respite Care in College, AK

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in College for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger man supporting an older man's arm as they walk through a bright living room
Local figures

Respite Care in College, AK: the local picture

2,077
residents 65 or older (17% of College)
69%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
28%
of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Fairbanks North Star Borough)
1
Medicare-certified hospices serve College ZIP codes

Most older adults in College live with someone: 69% 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 579 College residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (38% in Fairbanks North Star Borough). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving College ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

College compared with Fairbanks North Star Borough and Alaska

Census figureCollegeFairbanks North Star BoroughAlaska
Residents 65+ with a disability28%38%35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone31%28%27%
Residents 65 or older17%13%14%
Residents 85 or older1.5%0.9%0.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)5.6%6.3%8.3%
Households with no vehicle5.9%4.6%9.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$68,417$74,887—

Older residents in towns around College

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Farmers Loop, AK4.5 mi63135%
Fairbanks, AK5.4 mi3,81143%
Ester, AK6.6 mi3591.4%
Goldstream, AK8.0 mi63042%
Chena Ridge, AK8.0 mi63929%
Steele Creek, AK12 mi72731%

Hospices serving College

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Hospice ServicesFairbanks, AK3.6 mi(907) 458-3090

Nursing homes near College (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Denali CenterFairbanks, AK3.5 mi3 of 571(907) 458-5100

Straight-line miles from the center of College. 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 College

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,701 monthly median income of College households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

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 College: common questions

Which hospices serve College?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for College ZIP codes, including Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Hospice Services.

How much does respite care cost in College?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,701 monthly median income of College households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 College. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care covers Alaska.

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.

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