Respite Care in Hilton Head Island, SC
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 Hilton Head Island for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Hilton Head Island, SC: the local picture
Most older adults in Hilton Head Island live with someone: 78% 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 4,003 Hilton Head Island residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (25% in Beaufort County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Hilton Head Island ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Hilton Head Island compared with Beaufort County and South Carolina
| Census figure | Hilton Head Island | Beaufort County | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 25% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 22% | 20% | 27% |
| Residents 65 or older | 39% | 28% | 19% |
| Residents 85 or older | 5.8% | 2.6% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 4.8% | 7.2% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.3% | 4.3% | 5.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $96,923 | $83,920 | — |
Older residents in towns around Hilton Head Island
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton, SC | 11 mi | 8,154 | 20% |
| Port Royal, SC | 12 mi | 1,383 | 41% |
| Tybee Island, GA | 14 mi | 1,299 | 37% |
| Burton, SC | 16 mi | 1,139 | 30% |
| Beaufort, SC | 19 mi | 2,050 | 26% |
| Laurel Bay, SC | 19 mi | 271 | 15% |
Hospices serving Hilton Head Island
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Care Of The Lowcountry | Bluffton, SC | 8.9 mi | (843) 706-2296 |
| Crescent Hospice | Bluffton, SC | 8.9 mi | (843) 757-9388 |
| Pruitthealth Hospice-Beaufort | Bluffton, SC | 11 mi | (770) 279-6200 |
| Island Hospice | Hardeeville, SC | 20 mi | (843) 208-3660 |
| Compassus-Charleston | Ridgeland, SC | 25 mi | (843) 645-6540 |
Nursing homes near Hilton Head Island (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Care Center Of Hilton Head | Hilton Head Island, SC | 2.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 88 | (843) 681-6006 |
| Broad Creek Care Center | Hilton Head Island, SC | 2.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 25 | (843) 341-7300 |
| The Preston Health Center | Hilton Head Island, SC | 2.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 62 | (843) 689-7077 |
| Fraser Health Center | Hilton Head Island, SC | 3.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 33 | (843) 842-3747 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island
At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 16% of the $8,077 monthly median income of Hilton Head Island households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina 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.
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 Hilton Head Island: common questions
Which hospices serve Hilton Head Island?
Medicare lists 12 hospices for Hilton Head Island ZIP codes, including Hospice Care Of The Lowcountry, Crescent Hospice, Pruitthealth Hospice-Beaufort.
How much does respite care cost in Hilton Head Island?
At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 16% of the $8,077 monthly median income of Hilton Head Island households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina 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 Hilton Head Island. 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 South Carolina.
More senior care near Hilton Head Island
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Bluffton, SC
- Respite Care in Port Royal, SC
- Respite Care in Tybee Island, GA
- Respite Care in Burton, SC
- Respite Care in Beaufort, SC
- Respite Care in Laurel Bay, SC
- Respite Care in Hardeeville, SC
- Respite Care in Wilmington Island, GA
- Respite Care in Whitemarsh Island, GA
- Respite Care in Thunderbolt, GA
- Respite Care in Ridgeland, SC
- Respite Care in Skidaway Island, GA
- Respite Care in Garden City, GA
- Respite Care in Montgomery, GA
- Respite Care in Port Wentworth, GA
- Respite Care in Savannah, GA
Other care in Hilton Head Island
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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