Respite Care in Kennewick, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kennewick, WA: the local picture

13,616

residents 65 or older (16% of Kennewick)

75%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Benton County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kennewick ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kennewick 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 5,343 Kennewick residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (37% in Benton County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Kennewick ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Kennewick compared with Benton County and Washington

Census figure	Kennewick	Benton County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	23%	26%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	1.8%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	10%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	5.9%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$64,473	$66,930	—

Older residents in towns around Kennewick

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pasco, WA	5.4 mi	7,871	35%
Finley, WA	6.6 mi	1,115	39%
Richland, WA	8.4 mi	10,635	36%
Burbank, WA	9.2 mi	446	25%
West Richland, WA	13 mi	2,205	27%
Benton City, WA	15 mi	289	54%

Hospices serving Kennewick

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice	Richland, WA	6.6 mi	(509) 783-7416
Heartlinks	Grandview, WA	36 mi	(509) 837-1676

Nursing homes near Kennewick (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Regency Canyon Lakes Rehab And Nursing Center	Kennewick, WA	1.3 mi	5 of 5	53	(509) 582-5900
Life Care Center Of Kennewick	Kennewick, WA	1.7 mi	3 of 5	136	(509) 586-9185
Avalon Health & Rehabilitation Center - Pasco	Pasco, WA	4.3 mi	2 of 5	108	(509) 547-8811
Life Care Center Of Richland	Richland, WA	6.6 mi	2 of 5	104	(509) 943-1117

Straight-line miles from the center of Kennewick. 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 Kennewick

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $5,373 monthly median income of Kennewick households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Kennewick: common questions

Which hospices serve Kennewick?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Kennewick ZIP codes, including Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, Heartlinks.

How much does respite care cost in Kennewick?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $5,373 monthly median income of Kennewick households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Kennewick. 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 Washington.

More near Kennewick

More senior care near Kennewick

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kennewick

More for Kennewick 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 Kennewick, WA