Respite Care in Fort Dodge, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fort Dodge, IA: the local picture

4,713

residents 65 or older (19% of Fort Dodge)

55%

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

28%

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

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Dodge ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fort Dodge live with someone: 55% 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 1,177 Fort Dodge residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (28% in Webster County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Fort Dodge ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fort Dodge compared with Webster County and Iowa

Census figure	Fort Dodge	Webster County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	40%	31%
Residents 65 or older	19%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.8%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.6%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	6.7%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,944	$44,701	—

Older residents in towns around Fort Dodge

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Humboldt, IA	15 mi	1,089	27%
Eagle Grove, IA	18 mi	653	49%
Webster City, IA	19 mi	1,463	46%
Clarion, IA	27 mi	539	43%
Boone, IA	35 mi	2,272	35%
Jefferson, IA	36 mi	1,307	40%

Hospices serving Fort Dodge

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unitypoint Hospice	Fort Dodge, IA	0.3 mi	(515) 574-6420
Hospice Of The Heartland	Algona, IA	39 mi	(515) 295-4430
Mary Greeley Hospice Services	Ames, IA	40 mi	(515) 239-2011
Heartland Hospice (West Des Moines)	Ames, IA	44 mi	(515) 346-3321
Gentiva	Carroll, IA	47 mi	(712) 792-2191

Nursing homes near Fort Dodge (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Marian Home	Fort Dodge, IA	0.5 mi	5 of 5	90	(515) 576-1138
Fort Dodge Health And Rehabilitation	Fort Dodge, IA	1.1 mi	1 of 5	65	(515) 576-7226
Friendship Haven, Inc	Fort Dodge, IA	3.5 mi	4 of 5	155	(515) 573-2121
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital	Humboldt, IA	16 mi	5 of 5	28	(515) 332-4200

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

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Fort Dodge: common questions

Which hospices serve Fort Dodge?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Fort Dodge ZIP codes, including Unitypoint Hospice, Hospice Of The Heartland, Mary Greeley Hospice Services.

How much does respite care cost in Fort Dodge?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,662 monthly median income of Fort Dodge households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Dodge. 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 Iowa.

More near Fort Dodge

More senior care near Fort Dodge

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Dodge

More for Fort Dodge 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 Dodge, IA