Respite Care in Grinnell, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Grinnell, IA: the local picture

2,034

residents 65 or older (21% of Grinnell)

69%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Poweshiek County)

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Grinnell ZIP codes

Most older adults in Grinnell live with someone: 69% 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 641 Grinnell residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (34% in Poweshiek County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Grinnell ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Grinnell compared with Poweshiek County and Iowa

Census figure	Grinnell	Poweshiek County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	30%	31%
Residents 65 or older	21%	21%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.6%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	12%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	12%	7.2%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$53,295	$52,451	—

Older residents in towns around Grinnell

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Newton, IA	16 mi	3,381	31%
Tama, IA	18 mi	496	19%
Marshalltown, IA	23 mi	4,563	39%
Pella, IA	25 mi	2,017	35%
Oskaloosa, IA	31 mi	2,347	35%
Mitchellville, IA	33 mi	263	21%

Hospices serving Grinnell

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Iowa River Hospice	Marshalltown, IA	23 mi	(641) 753-7704
Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House	Pella, IA	25 mi	(641) 628-6644
St Croix Hospice	Ankeny, IA	44 mi	(515) 276-2700
Essence Of Life Hospice	Amana, IA	44 mi	(319) 622-3195
Mercyone Des Moines Hospice	Des Moines, IA	46 mi	(515) 643-8383

Nursing homes near Grinnell (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mayflower Home	Grinnell, IA	0.3 mi	5 of 5	40	(641) 236-6151
St Francis Manor	Grinnell, IA	1.1 mi	5 of 5	78	(641) 236-7592
Montezuma Specialty Care	Montezuma, IA	14 mi	3 of 5	41	(641) 219-4330
Brooklyn Community Estates	Brooklyn, IA	15 mi	5 of 5	50	(641) 522-9263

Straight-line miles from the center of Grinnell. 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 Grinnell

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 34% of the $4,441 monthly median income of Grinnell 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 Grinnell: common questions

Which hospices serve Grinnell?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Grinnell ZIP codes, including Iowa River Hospice, Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House, St Croix Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Grinnell?

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 34% of the $4,441 monthly median income of Grinnell 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 Grinnell. 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 Grinnell

More senior care near Grinnell

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Grinnell

More for Grinnell 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 Grinnell, IA