Respite Care in Gunnison, UT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Gunnison, UT: the local picture

326

residents 65 or older (9.2% of Gunnison)

66%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Sanpete County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Gunnison ZIP codes

Most older adults in Gunnison live with someone: 66% 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 86 Gunnison residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (39% in Sanpete County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Gunnison ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Gunnison compared with Sanpete County and Utah

Census figure	Gunnison	Sanpete County	Utah
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	39%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	21%	22%
Residents 65 or older	9.2%	15%	12%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.0%	1.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	23%	8.4%	7.5%
Households with no vehicle	2.4%	3.1%	4.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,750	$56,184	—

Older residents in towns around Gunnison

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Manti, UT	12 mi	613	40%
Salina, UT	15 mi	426	53%
Ephraim, UT	19 mi	635	40%
Fillmore, UT	31 mi	370	38%
Richfield, UT	31 mi	1,171	34%
Mount Pleasant, UT	33 mi	556	40%

Hospices serving Gunnison

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gunnison Valley Hospice	Gunnison, UT	0.2 mi	(435) 528-3955
At Home Hospice	Salina, UT	14 mi	(435) 529-3233
Intermountain Health Hospice - Salt Lake	South Jordan, UT	97 mi	(385) 887-6000

Nursing homes near Gunnison (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mission At Community Living Rehabilitation Center	Centerfield, UT	2.6 mi	3 of 5	46	(435) 528-2800

Straight-line miles from the center of Gunnison. 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 Gunnison

At the Utah median aide wage of $17.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,495 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,313 monthly median income of Gunnison households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Utah'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 Gunnison: common questions

Which hospices serve Gunnison?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Gunnison ZIP codes, including Gunnison Valley Hospice, At Home Hospice, Intermountain Health Hospice - Salt Lake.

How much does respite care cost in Gunnison?

At the Utah median aide wage of $17.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,495 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,313 monthly median income of Gunnison households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Utah'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 Gunnison. 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 Utah.

More near Gunnison

More senior care near Gunnison

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gunnison

More for Gunnison families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Gunnison, UT