Respite Care in Fort Atkinson, WI for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fort Atkinson, WI: the local picture

2,316

residents 65 or older (19% of Fort Atkinson)

61%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Jefferson County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Atkinson ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fort Atkinson 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 753 Fort Atkinson residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (27% in Jefferson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Fort Atkinson ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fort Atkinson compared with Jefferson County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Fort Atkinson	Jefferson County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	27%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	30%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	19%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.5%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	8.2%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	6.4%	4.6%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,786	$59,050	—

Older residents in towns around Fort Atkinson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Jefferson, WI	5.8 mi	1,261	29%
Whitewater, WI	8.2 mi	1,592	35%
Lake Mills, WI	11 mi	1,189	21%
Johnson Creek, WI	11 mi	364	37%
Milton, WI	11 mi	935	27%
Edgerton, WI	13 mi	1,046	47%

Hospices serving Fort Atkinson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Rainbow Hospice Care	Jefferson, WI	5.6 mi	(920) 674-6255
Heartland Hospice Madison	Madison, WI	25 mi	(608) 819-0033
Bristol Hospice Madison	Madison, WI	29 mi	(608) 960-7699
St Croix Hospice Waukesha	Waukesha, WI	30 mi	(262) 796-0600
Commonheart Hospice	Waukesha, WI	30 mi	(920) 206-6202

Nursing homes near Fort Atkinson (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Rock River Nursing & Rehab	Fort Atkinson, WI	1.0 mi	1 of 5	87	(920) 563-5533
Alden Estates Of Countryside, Inc	Jefferson, WI	4.8 mi	1 of 5	120	(920) 674-3170
Lake Mills Health Services	Lake Mills, WI	12 mi	4 of 5	50	(920) 648-8344
Edgerton Care Center, Inc	Edgerton, WI	13 mi	1 of 5	61	(608) 884-1330

Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Atkinson. 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 Fort Atkinson

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,899 monthly median income of Fort Atkinson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Fort Atkinson: common questions

Which hospices serve Fort Atkinson?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Fort Atkinson ZIP codes, including Rainbow Hospice Care, Heartland Hospice Madison, Bristol Hospice Madison.

How much does respite care cost in Fort Atkinson?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,899 monthly median income of Fort Atkinson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 Fort Atkinson. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near Fort Atkinson

More senior care near Fort Atkinson

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Atkinson

More for Fort Atkinson 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 Fort Atkinson, WI