Ely, Minnesota

Respite Care in Ely, MN

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Ely for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A woman and an older man talking across a wooden table at home
Local figures

Respite Care in Ely, MN: the local picture

910
residents 65 or older (28% of Ely)
61%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
34%
of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in St. Louis County)
3
Medicare-certified hospices serve Ely ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ely 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 297 Ely residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (30% in St. Louis County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Ely ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ely compared with St. Louis County and Minnesota

Census figureElySt. Louis CountyMinnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability34%30%28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone39%32%30%
Residents 65 or older28%21%17%
Residents 85 or older1.9%2.5%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)11%9.5%8.8%
Households with no vehicle15%8.0%6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$41,607$54,929—

Older residents in towns around Ely

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Virginia, MN41 mi2,01332%
Mountain Iron, MN44 mi74438%
Eveleth, MN44 mi64435%
Chisholm, MN56 mi1,30829%
Two Harbors, MN61 mi69440%
Hibbing, MN62 mi3,74330%

Hospices serving Ely

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Caringedge Hospice HermantownHermantown, MN77 mi(218) 723-8905
Essentia Health St Mary's Hospice & Palliative Care ServicesDuluth, MN77 mi(218) 786-4020
St Croix HospiceOakdale, MN208 mi(651) 735-3656

Nursing homes near Ely (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Boundary Waters Care CenterEly, MN1.0 mi5 of 538(218) 365-8705

Straight-line miles from the center of Ely. 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 Ely

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,467 monthly median income of Ely households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Ely: common questions

Which hospices serve Ely?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Ely ZIP codes, including Caringedge Hospice Hermantown, Essentia Health St Mary's Hospice & Palliative Care Services, St Croix Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Ely?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $3,467 monthly median income of Ely households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Ely. 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 Minnesota.

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.

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