Respite Care in Iowa Falls, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Iowa Falls, IA: the local picture

1,205

residents 65 or older (24% of Iowa Falls)

64%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Hardin County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Iowa Falls ZIP codes

Most older adults in Iowa Falls live with someone: 64% 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 420 Iowa Falls residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (27% in Hardin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Iowa Falls compared with Hardin County and Iowa

Census figure	Iowa Falls	Hardin County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	28%	31%
Residents 65 or older	24%	24%	18%
Residents 85 or older	5.2%	3.4%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.3%	6.7%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	9.3%	5.3%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,000	$54,750	—

Older residents in towns around Iowa Falls

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Eldora, IA	14 mi	481	26%
Hampton, IA	16 mi	981	23%
Grundy Center, IA	27 mi	629	32%
Clarion, IA	28 mi	539	43%
Story City, IA	28 mi	722	26%
Webster City, IA	28 mi	1,463	46%

Hospices serving Iowa Falls

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Iowa River Hospice	Marshalltown, IA	38 mi	(641) 753-7704
Mary Greeley Hospice Services	Ames, IA	39 mi	(515) 239-2011
Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, IA	42 mi	(319) 232-6148
Mercyone North Iowa Hospice	Mason City, IA	44 mi	(641) 428-6268
St Croix Hospice	Charles City, IA	48 mi	(641) 394-2700

Nursing homes near Iowa Falls (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Scenic Manor	Iowa Falls, IA	0.7 mi	5 of 5	77	(641) 648-4671
The Village Of Ackley	Ackley, IA	11 mi	3 of 5	38	(641) 847-3531
Eldora Specialty Care	Eldora, IA	14 mi	3 of 5	46	(641) 939-3491
Hubbard Care Center	Hubbard, IA	15 mi	5 of 5	60	(641) 864-3264

Straight-line miles from the center of Iowa Falls. 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 Iowa Falls

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 35% of the $4,250 monthly median income of Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls: common questions

Which hospices serve Iowa Falls?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Iowa Falls ZIP codes, including Iowa River Hospice, Mary Greeley Hospice Services, Care Initiatives Hospice - Cedar Falls.

How much does respite care cost in Iowa Falls?

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 35% of the $4,250 monthly median income of Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls. 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 Iowa Falls

More senior care near Iowa Falls

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Iowa Falls

More for Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls, IA