Respite Care in Gautier, MS: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Gautier, MS: the local picture

3,015

residents 65 or older (16% of Gautier)

73%

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

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (48% in Jackson County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Gautier ZIP codes

Most older adults in Gautier 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 1,358 Gautier residents aged 65 or older report a disability (46%) (48% in Jackson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Gautier ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Gautier compared with Jackson County and Mississippi

Census figure	Gautier	Jackson County	Mississippi
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	48%	41%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	16%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.7%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.9%	10%	15%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	4.8%	6.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$64,625	$49,955	—

Older residents in towns around Gautier

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Gulf Park Estates, MS	6.2 mi	1,084	52%
Pascagoula, MS	6.9 mi	3,856	39%
Moss Point, MS	7.7 mi	2,523	49%
Ocean Springs, MS	7.7 mi	3,999	49%
Escatawpa, MS	9.0 mi	971	54%
Gulf Hills, MS	9.2 mi	1,156	42%

Hospices serving Gautier

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Light	Ocean Springs, MS	7.6 mi	(228) 818-2160
Traditions Health	Ocean Springs, MS	7.6 mi	(228) 207-0390
Saad Hospice Of Mississippi	Diberville, MS	14 mi	(228) 432-8855
Deaconess Hospice	Biloxi, MS	20 mi	(228) 435-2265
Southern Care Inc Dba Gentiva	Biloxi, MS	20 mi	(228) 396-4756

Nursing homes near Gautier (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
River Chase Village	Gautier, MS	0.7 mi	4 of 5	60	(228) 522-6700
Sunplex Sub-Acute Center	Ocean Springs, MS	3.7 mi	1 of 5	73	(228) 875-1177
Ocean Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center	Ocean Springs, MS	4.4 mi	2 of 5	115	(228) 875-9363
Diversicare Of Moss Point	Moss Point, MS	7.5 mi	2 of 5	160	(228) 762-7451

Straight-line miles from the center of Gautier. 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 Gautier

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $5,385 monthly median income of Gautier households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Gautier: common questions

Which hospices serve Gautier?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Gautier ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Light, Traditions Health, Saad Hospice Of Mississippi.

How much does respite care cost in Gautier?

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $5,385 monthly median income of Gautier households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Gautier. 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 Mississippi.

More near Gautier

More senior care near Gautier

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gautier

More for Gautier 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 Gautier, MS