Respite Care in Eau Claire, WI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Eau Claire, WI: the local picture

11,454

residents 65 or older (16% of Eau Claire)

65%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Eau Claire County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Eau Claire ZIP codes

Most older adults in Eau Claire live with someone: 65% 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 3,236 Eau Claire residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (29% in Eau Claire County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Eau Claire ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Eau Claire compared with Eau Claire County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Eau Claire	Eau Claire County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	29%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	16%	17%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.8%	7.2%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	6.7%	6.4%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,672	$58,282	—

Older residents in towns around Eau Claire

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Altoona, WI	3.0 mi	1,717	34%
Lake Hallie, WI	6.2 mi	1,035	26%
Chippewa Falls, WI	9.6 mi	3,042	28%
Lake Wissota, WI	12 mi	640	30%
Mondovi, WI	19 mi	634	45%
Bloomer, WI	20 mi	783	29%

Hospices serving Eau Claire

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Heartland Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.4 mi	(715) 214-2485
Lily Home And Hospice	Eau Claire, WI	2.4 mi	(262) 235-3115
St Croix Hospice Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.4 mi	(715) 598-2635
Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin	Eau Claire, WI	2.4 mi	(715) 377-9617
Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.4 mi	(715) 800-0900

Nursing homes near Eau Claire (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	2.0 mi	4 of 5	83	(715) 552-1030
Grace Lutheran Communities - River Pines	Altoona, WI	2.2 mi	4 of 5	50	(715) 598-7800
Oakwood Health Services	Altoona, WI	2.3 mi	3 of 5	80	(715) 833-0400
Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire	Eau Claire, WI	3.1 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 552-1035

Straight-line miles from the center of Eau Claire. 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 Eau Claire

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,639 monthly median income of Eau Claire households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Eau Claire: common questions

Which hospices serve Eau Claire?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Eau Claire ZIP codes, including Heartland Hospice Eau Claire, Lily Home And Hospice, St Croix Hospice Eau Claire.

How much does respite care cost in Eau Claire?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,639 monthly median income of Eau Claire households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Eau Claire. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near Eau Claire

More senior care near Eau Claire

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Eau Claire

More for Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire, WI