Respite Care in Elkins, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Elkins, AR: the local picture

579

residents 65 or older (15% of Elkins)

87%

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

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Washington County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Elkins ZIP codes

Most older adults in Elkins live with someone: 87% 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 235 Elkins residents aged 65 or older report a disability (41%) (30% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Elkins ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Elkins compared with Washington County and Arkansas

Census figure	Elkins	Washington County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	30%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	13%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	15%	12%	18%
Residents 85 or older	0.8%	1.1%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	1.4%	9.8%	12%
Households with no vehicle	0.0%	4.1%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,603	$55,171	—

Older residents in towns around Elkins

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fayetteville, AR	8.8 mi	9,725	29%
West Fork, AR	10 mi	441	26%
Johnson, AR	12 mi	228	27%
Farmington, AR	13 mi	1,392	30%
Springdale, AR	14 mi	9,148	31%
Prairie Grove, AR	16 mi	1,063	35%

Hospices serving Elkins

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Washington Regional Hospice	Fayetteville, AR	10 mi	(479) 463-7385
Elite Hospice	Springdale, AR	14 mi	(479) 751-3019
Circle Of Life Hospice	Springdale, AR	14 mi	(479) 750-6632
Lifetouch Health Hospice Care	Russellville, AR	71 mi	(479) 498-2050

Nursing homes near Elkins (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Arkansas Veterans Home At Fayetteville	Fayetteville, AR	8.6 mi	2 of 5	90	(479) 444-7001
Fayetteville Health And Rehabilitation Center	Fayetteville, AR	8.8 mi	3 of 5	140	(479) 521-4353
Butterfield Trail Village	Fayetteville, AR	9.4 mi	3 of 5	87	(479) 695-8065
North Hills Life Care And Rehab	Fayetteville, AR	9.5 mi	5 of 5	92	(479) 444-9000

Straight-line miles from the center of Elkins. 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 Elkins

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,050 monthly median income of Elkins households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Elkins: common questions

Which hospices serve Elkins?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Elkins ZIP codes, including Washington Regional Hospice, Elite Hospice, Circle Of Life Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Elkins?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,050 monthly median income of Elkins households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Elkins. 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 Arkansas.

More near Elkins

More senior care near Elkins

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Elkins

More for Elkins 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 Elkins, AR