Respite Care in Hiawatha, KS: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Hiawatha, KS: the local picture

605

residents 65 or older (19% of Hiawatha)

62%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Brown County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Hiawatha ZIP codes

Most older adults in Hiawatha live with someone: 62% 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 174 Hiawatha residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (32% in Brown County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Hiawatha ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Hiawatha compared with Brown County and Kansas

Census figure	Hiawatha	Brown County	Kansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	22%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.2%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	10%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	5.6%	4.7%	5.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,594	$52,321	—

Older residents in towns around Hiawatha

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Falls City, NE	15 mi	926	41%
Holton, KS	28 mi	667	43%
Atchison, KS	29 mi	1,522	43%
Country Club, MO	38 mi	470	26%
Savannah, MO	38 mi	1,091	39%
St. Joseph, MO	39 mi	11,999	39%

Hospices serving Hiawatha

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Freedom Hospice	Hiawatha, KS	5.3 mi	(785) 740-1705
Hospice Of NE KS Multi-County	Hiawatha, KS	12 mi	(785) 742-1966
Nemaha County Home Health And Hospice	Sabetha, KS	15 mi	(785) 284-2288
Amberwell Hospice	Atchison, KS	30 mi	(913) 360-5520
St Croix Hospice	Topeka, KS	59 mi	(785) 256-9632

Nursing homes near Hiawatha (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maple Heights Nursing & Rehabilitative Center	Hiawatha, KS	0.9 mi	3 of 5	53	(785) 742-7465
Sabetha Manor	Sabetha, KS	15 mi	4 of 5	40	(785) 284-3411
Falls City Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Falls City, NE	15 mi	2 of 5	63	(402) 245-4466
Apostolic Christian Home	Sabetha, KS	15 mi	3 of 5	76	(785) 284-3471

Straight-line miles from the center of Hiawatha. 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 Hiawatha

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 36% of the $3,633 monthly median income of Hiawatha 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.

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 Hiawatha: common questions

Which hospices serve Hiawatha?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Hiawatha ZIP codes, including Freedom Hospice, Hospice Of NE KS Multi-County, Nemaha County Home Health And Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Hiawatha?

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 36% of the $3,633 monthly median income of Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha. 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 near Hiawatha

More senior care near Hiawatha

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Hiawatha

More for Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha, KS