Respite Care in Jonesboro, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Jonesboro, AR: the local picture

11,363

residents 65 or older (14% of Jonesboro)

67%

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

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in Craighead County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Jonesboro ZIP codes

Most older adults in Jonesboro live with someone: 67% 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 4,713 Jonesboro residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (44% in Craighead County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Jonesboro ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Jonesboro compared with Craighead County and Arkansas

Census figure	Jonesboro	Craighead County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	44%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	33%	29%
Residents 65 or older	14%	14%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	7.6%	6.4%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,058	$47,075	—

Older residents in towns around Jonesboro

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Brookland, AR	8.0 mi	302	55%
Bono, AR	9.3 mi	172	53%
Lake City, AR	13 mi	418	60%
Trumann, AR	13 mi	1,214	59%
Paragould, AR	19 mi	4,624	42%
Hoxie, AR	22 mi	494	70%

Hospices serving Jonesboro

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Jonesboro, AR	1.3 mi	(870) 277-4029
St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H	Jonesboro, AR	1.3 mi	(870) 972-4507
Home Health Professional & Hospice	Jonesboro, AR	1.3 mi	(870) 762-1825
Legacy Hospice, Inc	Osceola, AR	40 mi	(870) 563-9995
Arkansas Hospice Inc	Batesville, AR	54 mi	(501) 748-3333

Nursing homes near Jonesboro (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
St. Elizabeth's Place	Jonesboro, AR	1.1 mi	2 of 5	110	(870) 802-0090
The Springs Jonesboro	Jonesboro, AR	1.3 mi	4 of 5	136	(870) 935-7550
Ridgecrest Health And Rehabilitation	Jonesboro, AR	4.1 mi	1 of 5	135	(870) 932-3271
Craighead Nursing Center	Jonesboro, AR	7.9 mi	not rated	121	(870) 933-4535

Straight-line miles from the center of Jonesboro. 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 Jonesboro

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,088 monthly median income of Jonesboro households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Jonesboro: common questions

Which hospices serve Jonesboro?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Jonesboro ZIP codes, including Elite Hospice, St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H, Home Health Professional & Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Jonesboro?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,088 monthly median income of Jonesboro households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Jonesboro. 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 Arkansas.

More near Jonesboro

More senior care near Jonesboro

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Jonesboro

More for Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro, AR