Respite Care in Jefferson, GA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Jefferson, GA: the local picture

1,708

residents 65 or older (11% of Jefferson)

72%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Jackson County)

21

Medicare-certified hospices serve Jefferson ZIP codes

Most older adults in Jefferson live with someone: 72% 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 568 Jefferson residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (33% in Jackson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Jefferson ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Jefferson compared with Jackson County and Georgia

Census figure	Jefferson	Jackson County	Georgia
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	33%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	17%	26%
Residents 65 or older	11%	15%	15%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	0.9%	1.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.6%	11%
Households with no vehicle	2.9%	2.3%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,644	$59,066	—

Older residents in towns around Jefferson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pendergrass, GA	4.8 mi	134	10%
Commerce, GA	9.0 mi	1,081	40%
Hoschton, GA	9.7 mi	627	23%
Statham, GA	12 mi	433	29%
Winder, GA	12 mi	2,342	34%
Braselton, GA	12 mi	3,012	20%

Hospices serving Jefferson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Agape Hospice Care Of Clarke County, LLC	Watkinsville, GA	13 mi	(404) 763-1456
Eternal Faith Hospice And Palliative Care	Bogart, GA	15 mi	(770) 725-2399
Amedisys Hospice	Athens, GA	17 mi	(706) 369-3550
Compassus-Athens	Athens, GA	17 mi	(706) 354-1707
Family Hospice	Athens, GA	17 mi	(800) 410-4663

Nursing homes near Jefferson (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Hill Haven Nursing Home	Commerce, GA	9.2 mi	3 of 5	70	(706) 336-8000
Northridge Health And Rehabilitation	Commerce, GA	9.5 mi	4 of 5	167	(706) 335-1300
Winder Center For Nursing And Healing	Winder, GA	12 mi	1 of 5	163	(770) 867-2108
Oaks - Athens Skilled Nursing, The	Athens, GA	15 mi	1 of 5	148	(706) 355-7400

Straight-line miles from the center of Jefferson. 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 Jefferson

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,387 monthly median income of Jefferson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (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 Jefferson: common questions

Which hospices serve Jefferson?

Medicare lists 21 hospices for Jefferson ZIP codes, including Agape Hospice Care Of Clarke County, LLC, Eternal Faith Hospice And Palliative Care, Amedisys Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Jefferson?

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,387 monthly median income of Jefferson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (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 Jefferson. 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 Georgia.

More near Jefferson

More senior care near Jefferson

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Jefferson

More for Jefferson 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 Jefferson, GA