Respite Care in Elma, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Elma, WA: the local picture

568

residents 65 or older (16% of Elma)

63%

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

42%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Elma ZIP codes

Most older adults in Elma live with someone: 63% 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 236 Elma residents aged 65 or older report a disability (42%) (40% in Grays Harbor County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Elma ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Elma compared with Grays Harbor County and Washington

Census figure	Elma	Grays Harbor County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	40%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	30%	26%
Residents 65 or older	16%	23%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.1%	10%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	4.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$61,375	$49,629	—

Older residents in towns around Elma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Montesano, WA	8.3 mi	963	36%
Central Park, WA	14 mi	529	33%
Aberdeen, WA	19 mi	3,211	43%
Shelton, WA	21 mi	1,466	47%
Rochester, WA	21 mi	1,061	27%
Tumwater, WA	23 mi	4,204	31%

Hospices serving Elma

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Harbors Home Health And Hospice	Hoquiam, WA	22 mi	(360) 532-5454
Puget Sound Hospice	Tumwater, WA	25 mi	(253) 581-9410
Assured Home Health, Hospice & Home Care	Centralia, WA	29 mi	(360) 330-2640
Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South	Lacey, WA	30 mi	(206) 459-8311
Assured Hospice	Moses Lake, WA	194 mi	(509) 766-2580

Nursing homes near Elma (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Montesano Health-Rehab Center	Montesano, WA	8.5 mi	5 of 5	94	(360) 249-2273
Grays Harbor Health & Rehabilitation Center	Aberdeen, WA	21 mi	4 of 5	105	(360) 532-5122
Fir Lane Care	Shelton, WA	21 mi	2 of 5	135	(360) 426-1651
Shelton Health And Rehabilitation	Shelton, WA	21 mi	2 of 5	76	(360) 427-2575

Straight-line miles from the center of Elma. 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 Elma

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,115 monthly median income of Elma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Elma: common questions

Which hospices serve Elma?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Elma ZIP codes, including Harbors Home Health And Hospice, Puget Sound Hospice, Assured Home Health, Hospice & Home Care.

How much does respite care cost in Elma?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,115 monthly median income of Elma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Elma. 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 Washington.

More near Elma

More senior care near Elma

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Elma

More for Elma 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 Elma, WA