Respite Care in Fort Madison, IA
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 Fort Madison for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Fort Madison, IA: the local picture
Most older adults in Fort Madison live with someone: 58% 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 809 Fort Madison residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (32% in Lee County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Fort Madison ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Fort Madison compared with Lee County and Iowa
| Census figure | Fort Madison | Lee County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 40% | 32% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 42% | 33% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 22% | 22% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 3.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 9.7% | 9.1% | 8.4% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.5% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $38,590 | $44,102 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Madison
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk, IA | 15 mi | 2,065 | 34% |
| Hamilton, IL | 16 mi | 542 | 35% |
| West Burlington, IA | 16 mi | 631 | 37% |
| Burlington, IA | 17 mi | 5,107 | 35% |
| Mount Pleasant, IA | 26 mi | 1,634 | 35% |
| Canton, MO | 35 mi | 343 | 36% |
Hospices serving Fort Madison
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County Health Department | Fort Madison, IA | 0.9 mi | (319) 372-5225 |
| Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice | West Burlington, IA | 17 mi | (319) 768-3350 |
| Everystep | Mount Pleasant, IA | 26 mi | (319) 385-4472 |
| Hospice Compassus - Northeast Iowa | Cedar Rapids, IA | 94 mi | (319) 362-2500 |
| St Croix Hospice | Strawberry Point, IA | 143 mi | (563) 933-2070 |
Nursing homes near Fort Madison (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkwood Village Of Fort Madison | Fort Madison, IA | 1.0 mi | 3 of 5 | 80 | (319) 372-8021 |
| Montrose Health Center | Montrose, IA | 7.6 mi | 3 of 5 | 44 | (319) 463-5438 |
| West Point Care Center Inc | West Point, IA | 8.8 mi | 5 of 5 | 46 | (319) 837-6117 |
| River Hills Village In Keokuk | Keokuk, IA | 14 mi | 3 of 5 | 84 | (319) 524-5772 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Madison. 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 Fort Madison
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 47% of the $3,216 monthly median income of Fort Madison 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.
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 Fort Madison: common questions
Which hospices serve Fort Madison?
Medicare lists 5 hospices for Fort Madison ZIP codes, including Lee County Health Department, Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, Everystep.
How much does respite care cost in Fort Madison?
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 47% of the $3,216 monthly median income of Fort Madison 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 Madison. 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 senior care near Fort Madison
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Keokuk, IA
- Respite Care in Hamilton, IL
- Respite Care in West Burlington, IA
- Respite Care in Burlington, IA
- Respite Care in Mount Pleasant, IA
- Respite Care in Canton, MO
- Respite Care in Macomb, IL
- Respite Care in Fairfield, IA
- Respite Care in Monmouth, IL
- Respite Care in Bushnell, IL
- Respite Care in Quincy, IL
- Respite Care in Washington, IA
- Respite Care in Aledo, IL
- Respite Care in Abingdon, IL
- Respite Care in Rushville, IL
- Respite Care in Galesburg, IL
Other care in Fort Madison
- Companion Care in Fort Madison
- Dementia Care in Fort Madison
- Live-In Caregivers in Fort Madison
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Madison
- Senior Transportation in Fort Madison
- Home Health Aides in Fort Madison
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Madison
- Personal Care in Fort Madison
- Overnight Caregivers in Fort Madison
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fort Madison
- Mobility Assistance in Fort Madison
- Parkinson’s Care in Fort Madison
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fort Madison
- Disability Care for Adults in Fort Madison
- Hospice Support in Fort Madison
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fort Madison
- Senior Housekeeping in Fort Madison
- Medication Reminders in Fort Madison
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Madison
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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