Respite Care in Kennett, MO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kennett, MO: the local picture

2,130

residents 65 or older (21% of Kennett)

71%

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

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (48% in Dunklin County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kennett ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kennett live with someone: 71% 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 845 Kennett residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (48% in Dunklin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Kennett ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Kennett compared with Dunklin County and Missouri

Census figure	Kennett	Dunklin County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	48%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	21%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.2%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	14%	10%
Households with no vehicle	10%	8.5%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,981	$37,659	—

Older residents in towns around Kennett

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Piggott, AR	13 mi	664	48%
Gosnell, AR	20 mi	425	41%
Caruthersville, MO	22 mi	894	54%
Blytheville, AR	23 mi	2,302	43%
Portageville, MO	23 mi	387	49%
Malden, MO	25 mi	753	53%

Hospices serving Kennett

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Legacy Hospice, LLC	Kennett, MO	0.1 mi	(573) 888-4946
Vna Hospice	Kennett, MO	0.1 mi	(573) 888-5892
Elara Caring	Dexter, MO	38 mi	(573) 614-4000
Crown Hospice	Poplar Bluff, MO	42 mi	(573) 840-5029
St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H	Jonesboro, AR	46 mi	(870) 972-4507

Nursing homes near Kennett (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Nhc Healthcare, Kennett	Kennett, MO	1.6 mi	5 of 5	170	(573) 888-1150
Heritage Nursing Center - Skilled Nursing By Ameri	Kennett, MO	1.7 mi	4 of 5	72	(573) 888-1044
Piggott Healthcare & Senior Living, LLC	Piggott, AR	13 mi	1 of 5	105	(870) 598-2291
Rector Nursing And Rehab	Rector, AR	13 mi	5 of 5	70	(870) 595-1040

Straight-line miles from the center of Kennett. 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 Kennett

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,582 monthly median income of Kennett households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Kennett: common questions

Which hospices serve Kennett?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Kennett ZIP codes, including Legacy Hospice, LLC, Vna Hospice, Elara Caring.

How much does respite care cost in Kennett?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,582 monthly median income of Kennett households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Kennett. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver covers Missouri.

More near Kennett

More senior care near Kennett

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kennett

More for Kennett 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 Kennett, MO