Respite Care in Fargo, ND: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fargo, ND: the local picture

17,510

residents 65 or older (13% of Fargo)

64%

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

30%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fargo ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fargo live with someone: 64% 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 5,034 Fargo residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (30% in Cass County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Fargo compared with Cass County and North Dakota

Census figure	Fargo	Cass County	North Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	30%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	33%	33%
Residents 65 or older	13%	13%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.5%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.8%	7.6%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	8.3%	6.8%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,225	$62,681	—

Older residents in towns around Fargo

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West Fargo, ND	3.6 mi	4,963	34%
Moorhead, MN	4.0 mi	5,703	31%
Dilworth, MN	6.4 mi	571	39%
Horace, ND	8.4 mi	294	22%
Casselton, ND	18 mi	293	39%
Barnesville, MN	25 mi	359	37%

Hospices serving Fargo

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Sanford Fargo Hospice	Fargo, ND	3.9 mi	(701) 234-7550
Ethos Hospice	Fargo, ND	5.0 mi	(701) 356-3803
Hia Hospice	Fargo, ND	5.0 mi	(701) 356-1500
Chi Health At Home - Hospice	Valley City, ND	56 mi	(855) 860-3464
Jamestown Regional Medical Center Hospice	Jamestown, ND	91 mi	(701) 952-4847

Nursing homes near Fargo (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Meadows On University	Fargo, ND	1.5 mi	1 of 5	95	(701) 237-3030
Smp Health - St Catherine South	Fargo, ND	1.6 mi	4 of 5	98	(701) 293-7750
Bethany On University	Fargo, ND	1.6 mi	5 of 5	172	(701) 239-3000
Eventide Fargo	Fargo, ND	2.1 mi	3 of 5	98	(701) 478-1800

Straight-line miles from the center of Fargo. 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 Fargo

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $5,019 monthly median income of Fargo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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 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 Fargo: common questions

Which hospices serve Fargo?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Fargo ZIP codes, including Sanford Fargo Hospice, Ethos Hospice, Hia Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Fargo?

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $5,019 monthly median income of Fargo households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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 Fargo. 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 North Dakota.

More near Fargo

More senior care near Fargo

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fargo

More for Fargo 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 Fargo, ND