Respite Care in Columbia, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Columbia, IL: the local picture

1,839

residents 65 or older (17% of Columbia)

72%

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Monroe County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Columbia ZIP codes

Most older adults in Columbia live with someone: 72% 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 467 Columbia residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (28% in Monroe County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Columbia ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Columbia compared with Monroe County and Illinois

Census figure	Columbia	Monroe County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	28%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	24%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	20%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.4%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.9%	8.3%	10%
Households with no vehicle	4.7%	4.0%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,722	$63,522	—

Older residents in towns around Columbia

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dupo, IL	4.0 mi	576	19%
Oakville, MO	5.6 mi	7,845	25%
Mehlville, MO	6.1 mi	6,316	34%
Lemay, MO	6.4 mi	2,439	43%
Millstadt, IL	7.0 mi	1,072	39%
Green Park, MO	8.0 mi	595	32%

Hospices serving Columbia

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unity Hospice Gsl, LLC	Saint Louis, MO	11 mi	(314) 645-8648
Family Hospice Of Belleville Area	Belleville, IL	13 mi	(618) 277-1800
Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc	Belleville, IL	13 mi	(618) 235-1703
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest	Fairview Heights, IL	15 mi	(618) 622-9073
Heartland Hospice (Fairview Heights)	Fairview Heights, IL	15 mi	(618) 632-0304

Nursing homes near Columbia (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Nexus At Columbia	Columbia, IL	1.0 mi	1 of 5	119	(618) 281-6800
Bethesda Southgate	Saint Louis, MO	4.9 mi	5 of 5	130	(314) 846-2000
Nazareth Living Center	Saint Louis, MO	6.0 mi	1 of 5	121	(314) 487-3950
Lemay Nursing	Saint Louis, MO	6.1 mi	2 of 5	60	(314) 631-0540

Straight-line miles from the center of Columbia. 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 Columbia

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 32% of the $4,977 monthly median income of Columbia 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 Columbia: common questions

Which hospices serve Columbia?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Columbia ZIP codes, including Unity Hospice Gsl, LLC, Family Hospice Of Belleville Area, Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Columbia?

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 32% of the $4,977 monthly median income of Columbia 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 Columbia. 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 Columbia

More senior care near Columbia

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Columbia

More for Columbia 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 Columbia, IL