Respite Care in Fife, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fife, WA: the local picture

790

residents 65 or older (7.2% of Fife)

73%

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

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fife ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fife live with someone: 73% 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 345 Fife residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (36% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Fife ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fife compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Fife	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	7.2%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.8%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	3.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,429	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Fife

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Milton, WA	2.1 mi	1,157	34%
Waller, WA	2.1 mi	1,331	36%
Edgewood, WA	3.0 mi	1,809	19%
Lakeland South, WA	4.3 mi	1,710	37%
Summit, WA	4.4 mi	1,763	31%
Puyallup, WA	4.6 mi	6,913	34%

Hospices serving Fife

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	(253) 301-6400
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	5.4 mi	(360) 350-4875
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County	Tacoma, WA	6.5 mi	(517) 256-0946
Puget Sound Hospice	Tacoma, WA	6.5 mi	(253) 581-9410
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	8.9 mi	(253) 534-7000

Nursing homes near Fife (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Avamere At Pacific Ridge	Tacoma, WA	3.8 mi	2 of 5	102	(253) 475-2507
Heartwood Extended Healthcare	Tacoma, WA	4.0 mi	1 of 5	120	(253) 472-9027
Life Care Center Of Puyallup	Puyallup, WA	4.5 mi	2 of 5	102	(253) 845-7566
Avalon Healthcare - Tacoma	Tacoma, WA	4.7 mi	2 of 5	81	(253) 474-8456

Straight-line miles from the center of Fife. 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 Fife

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 46% of the $4,286 monthly median income of Fife 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 Fife: common questions

Which hospices serve Fife?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Fife ZIP codes, including Multicare Hospice, Envision Hospice, Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County.

How much does respite care cost in Fife?

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 46% of the $4,286 monthly median income of Fife 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 Fife. 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 Fife

More senior care near Fife

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fife

More for Fife 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 Fife, WA