Respite Care in Hays, KS
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 Hays for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Hays, KS: the local picture
Most older adults in Hays live with someone: 68% 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 987 Hays residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (31% in Ellis County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Hays ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Hays compared with Ellis County and Kansas
| Census figure | Hays | Ellis County | Kansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 31% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 33% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 16% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 8.8% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.2% | 3.8% | 5.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,827 | $46,379 | — |
Older residents in towns around Hays
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell, KS | 25 mi | 1,030 | 37% |
| Hoisington, KS | 39 mi | 503 | 37% |
| Great Bend, KS | 46 mi | 2,705 | 38% |
| Larned, KS | 50 mi | 899 | 45% |
| Ellsworth, KS | 60 mi | 537 | 34% |
Hospices serving Hays
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice & Palliative Care At Haysmed | Hays, KS | 0.7 mi | (785) 623-6200 |
| Hospice Services Inc | Phillipsburg, KS | 61 mi | (785) 543-2900 |
| Hospice Of The Prairie | Dodge City, KS | 87 mi | (620) 227-7209 |
| Meadowlark Hospice | Clay Center, KS | 123 mi | (785) 632-2225 |
| Gentiva | Wichita, KS | 138 mi | (316) 559-2049 |
Nursing homes near Hays (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Samaritan - Hays | Hays, KS | 0.7 mi | 5 of 5 | 45 | (785) 625-7331 |
| Via Christi Village Hays KS LLC | Hays, KS | 1.2 mi | 1 of 5 | 96 | (785) 628-3241 |
| Good Samaritan - Ellis | Ellis, KS | 13 mi | 5 of 5 | 42 | (785) 726-3101 |
| Redbud Village | Plainville, KS | 24 mi | not rated | 34 | (785) 434-4536 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Hays. 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 Hays
At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Hays households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Hays: common questions
Which hospices serve Hays?
Medicare lists 6 hospices for Hays ZIP codes, including Hospice & Palliative Care At Haysmed, Hospice Services Inc, Hospice Of The Prairie.
How much does respite care cost in Hays?
At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,736 monthly median income of Hays households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Hays. 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 Kansas.
More senior care near Hays
Respite Care in nearby cities
Other care in Hays
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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