Respite Care in Decatur, AL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Decatur, AL: the local picture

10,356

residents 65 or older (18% of Decatur)

61%

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

39%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Morgan County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Decatur ZIP codes

Most older adults in Decatur live with someone: 61% 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 3,943 Decatur residents aged 65 or older report a disability (39%) (40% in Morgan County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Decatur ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Decatur compared with Morgan County and Alabama

Census figure	Decatur	Morgan County	Alabama
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	40%	38%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	32%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	1.9%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	13%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.8%	4.8%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,447	$48,229	—

Older residents in towns around Decatur

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Trinity, AL	5.5 mi	459	37%
Priceville, AL	6.8 mi	461	44%
Hartselle, AL	9.6 mi	2,752	46%
Triana, AL	14 mi	325	53%
Athens, AL	14 mi	5,066	32%
Madison, AL	16 mi	7,628	25%

Hospices serving Decatur

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of The Valley, Inc	Decatur, AL	1.1 mi	(205) 350-5585
Amedisys Hospice Of Decatur	Decatur, AL	1.1 mi	(256) 350-8688
Aveanna Hospice Of Decatur	Decatur, AL	1.8 mi	(256) 905-0280
Enhabit Hospice - Huntsville	Madison, AL	17 mi	(256) 203-8508
Affinity Hospice Madison	Madison, AL	17 mi	(256) 772-8108

Nursing homes near Decatur (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Decatur Health & Rehab Center	Decatur, AL	1.1 mi	1 of 5	119	(256) 340-5765
River City Center	Decatur, AL	1.5 mi	1 of 5	183	(256) 355-6911
Summerford Health And Rehab, LLC	Falkville, AL	14 mi	2 of 5	216	(256) 784-5275
Falkville Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Falkville, AL	15 mi	1 of 5	116	(256) 784-5291

Straight-line miles from the center of Decatur. 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 Decatur

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,871 monthly median income of Decatur households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama 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 Decatur: common questions

Which hospices serve Decatur?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Decatur ZIP codes, including Hospice Of The Valley, Inc, Amedisys Hospice Of Decatur, Aveanna Hospice Of Decatur.

How much does respite care cost in Decatur?

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,871 monthly median income of Decatur households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama 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 Decatur. 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 Alabama.

More near Decatur

More senior care near Decatur

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Decatur

More for Decatur 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 Decatur, AL