Respite Care in Irmo, SC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Irmo, SC: the local picture

1,834

residents 65 or older (16% of Irmo)

75%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Richland County)

20

Medicare-certified hospices serve Irmo ZIP codes

Most older adults in Irmo live with someone: 75% 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 608 Irmo residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (35% in Richland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 20 hospices serving Irmo ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Irmo compared with Richland County and South Carolina

Census figure	Irmo	Richland County	South Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	35%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	30%	27%
Residents 65 or older	16%	14%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.3%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.9%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.1%	7.2%	5.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,906	$55,737	—

Older residents in towns around Irmo

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lake Murray of Richland, SC	4.2 mi	1,722	25%
Seven Oaks, SC	5.0 mi	3,237	36%
St. Andrews, SC	6.3 mi	2,745	37%
Lexington, SC	7.7 mi	4,011	43%
Oak Grove, SC	8.6 mi	1,990	29%
West Columbia, SC	9.5 mi	3,928	41%

Hospices serving Irmo

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
All Seasons Healthcare, Inc	Irmo, SC	0.5 mi	(803) 602-0300
Lighthouse Hospice Group, LLC	Irmo, SC	0.5 mi	(803) 781-1935
Abbey Road Hospice, LLC	Columbia, SC	2.3 mi	(803) 551-5552
Lutheran Hospice	White Rock, SC	4.9 mi	(803) 749-7770
Pruitthealth Hospice- Columbia	Columbia, SC	6.2 mi	(803) 771-0489

Nursing homes near Irmo (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Heritage At Lowman Rehab And Healthcare	White Rock, SC	5.0 mi	1 of 5	152	(803) 732-3000
St Andrews Operator, LLC	Columbia, SC	5.1 mi	1 of 5	108	(803) 798-9715
Presbyterian Home Of South Carolina-Columbia	Lexington, SC	6.7 mi	3 of 5	22	(803) 796-8700
L.M.C.- Extended Care	Lexington, SC	7.2 mi	3 of 5	352	(803) 359-5181

Straight-line miles from the center of Irmo. 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 Irmo

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 22% of the $5,742 monthly median income of Irmo 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.

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 Irmo: common questions

Which hospices serve Irmo?

Medicare lists 20 hospices for Irmo ZIP codes, including All Seasons Healthcare, Inc, Lighthouse Hospice Group, LLC, Abbey Road Hospice, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Irmo?

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 22% of the $5,742 monthly median income of Irmo 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 Irmo. 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 near Irmo

More senior care near Irmo

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Irmo

More for Irmo 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 Irmo, SC