Respite Care in Forest Lake, 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 Forest Lake for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Forest Lake, MN: the local picture
Most older adults in Forest Lake live with someone: 70% 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 871 Forest Lake residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (27% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 22 hospices serving Forest Lake ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Forest Lake compared with Washington County and Minnesota
| Census figure | Forest Lake | Washington County | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 25% | 27% | 28% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 30% | 26% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 17% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.3% | 1.8% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.9% | 6.7% | 8.8% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.8% | 3.8% | 6.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $63,032 | $75,658 | — |
Older residents in towns around Forest Lake
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo, MN | 6.0 mi | 2,520 | 25% |
| Wyoming, MN | 6.2 mi | 1,169 | 20% |
| Scandia, MN | 6.5 mi | 1,102 | 22% |
| Columbus, MN | 6.9 mi | 842 | 18% |
| Centerville, MN | 7.2 mi | 603 | 30% |
| Chisago City, MN | 8.7 mi | 1,623 | 32% |
Hospices serving Forest Lake
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suite Living Hospice, LLC | White Bear Lake, MN | 12 mi | (651) 964-1220 |
| Lakeview Hospice | Oak Park Heights, MN | 14 mi | (651) 430-3320 |
| Ecumen Hospice | Shoreview, MN | 15 mi | (651) 714-0200 |
| St Croix Hospice | Oakdale, MN | 18 mi | (651) 735-3656 |
| Beyond Hospice | Oakdale, MN | 18 mi | (651) 485-5095 |
Nursing homes near Forest Lake (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birchwood Health Care Center | Forest Lake, MN | 2.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 100 | (651) 464-5600 |
| Meadows On Fairview | Wyoming, MN | 5.0 mi | 4 of 5 | 14 | (651) 466-1300 |
| Parmly On The Lake LLC | Chisago City, MN | 8.4 mi | 2 of 5 | 91 | (651) 257-0575 |
| Waverly Gardens | North Oaks, MN | 9.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 60 | (651) 765-4063 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Forest Lake. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Forest Lake
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 30% of the $5,253 monthly median income of Forest Lake 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.
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.
Respite Care in Forest Lake: common questions
Which hospices serve Forest Lake?
Medicare lists 22 hospices for Forest Lake ZIP codes, including Suite Living Hospice, LLC, Lakeview Hospice, Ecumen Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Forest Lake?
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 30% of the $5,253 monthly median income of Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake. 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 senior care near Forest Lake
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Hugo, MN
- Respite Care in Wyoming, MN
- Respite Care in Scandia, MN
- Respite Care in Columbus, MN
- Respite Care in Centerville, MN
- Respite Care in Chisago City, MN
- Respite Care in Lino Lakes, MN
- Respite Care in Lindstrom, MN
- Respite Care in Ham Lake, MN
- Respite Care in Circle Pines, MN
- Respite Care in Stacy, MN
- Respite Care in Grant, MN
- Respite Care in North Oaks, MN
- Respite Care in Lexington, MN
- Respite Care in Blaine, MN
- Respite Care in White Bear Lake, MN
Other care in Forest Lake
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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