Respite Care in Fergus Falls, MN for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fergus Falls, MN: the local picture

3,663

residents 65 or older (26% of Fergus Falls)

62%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Otter Tail County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fergus Falls ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fergus Falls live with someone: 62% 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 1,330 Fergus Falls residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (28% in Otter Tail County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Fergus Falls ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fergus Falls compared with Otter Tail County and Minnesota

Census figure	Fergus Falls	Otter Tail County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	28%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	26%	30%
Residents 65 or older	26%	25%	17%
Residents 85 or older	6.2%	3.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.5%	8.4%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	10%	5.6%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,455	$53,778	—

Older residents in towns around Fergus Falls

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pelican Rapids, MN	20 mi	444	26%
Breckenridge, MN	24 mi	667	30%
Wahpeton, ND	26 mi	1,557	29%
Barnesville, MN	30 mi	359	37%
Perham, MN	32 mi	872	47%
Detroit Lakes, MN	38 mi	2,539	36%

Hospices serving Fergus Falls

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Chi Health At Home	Breckenridge, MN	23 mi	(218) 643-2275
Horizon Public Health	Alexandria, MN	43 mi	(320) 763-6018
Vivie Hospice	Alexandria, MN	43 mi	(320) 759-1275
Moments Hospice Of Alexandria LLC	Alexandria, MN	43 mi	(877) 666-3687
Hia Hospice	Fargo, ND	51 mi	(701) 356-1500

Nursing homes near Fergus Falls (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Lb Broen Home	Fergus Falls, MN	0.8 mi	2 of 5	74	(218) 998-7300
Pioneer Care Center	Fergus Falls, MN	1.1 mi	5 of 5	105	(218) 998-1500
MN Veterans Home-Fergus Falls	Fergus Falls, MN	1.2 mi	4 of 5	85	(218) 736-0400
Good Samaritan Society - Battle Lake	Battle Lake, MN	17 mi	5 of 5	51	(218) 864-5231

Straight-line miles from the center of Fergus Falls. 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 Fergus Falls

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 40% of the $3,955 monthly median income of Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls: common questions

Which hospices serve Fergus Falls?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Fergus Falls ZIP codes, including Chi Health At Home, Horizon Public Health, Vivie Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Fergus Falls?

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 40% of the $3,955 monthly median income of Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls. 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.

More near Fergus Falls

More senior care near Fergus Falls

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fergus Falls

More for Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls, MN