Respite Care in Kent, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kent, WA: the local picture

16,138

residents 65 or older (12% of Kent)

77%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in King County)

22

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kent ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kent live with someone: 77% 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 5,580 Kent residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (30% in King County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 22 hospices serving Kent ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Kent compared with King County and Washington

Census figure	Kent	King County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	28%	26%
Residents 65 or older	12%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.9%	9.3%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	7.2%	11%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,314	$76,893	—

Older residents in towns around Kent

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lakeland North, WA	4.8 mi	2,417	47%
Des Moines, WA	4.9 mi	5,709	36%
Fairwood, WA	5.2 mi	2,989	24%
Covington, WA	5.3 mi	2,578	33%
SeaTac, WA	5.5 mi	4,141	48%
Auburn, WA	5.8 mi	10,676	41%

Hospices serving Kent

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Wesley Homes Hospice, LLC	Kent, WA	3.5 mi	(206) 870-1127
Eden Hospice	Tukwila, WA	5.0 mi	(206) 717-8161
Heart And Soul Hospice	Renton, WA	5.8 mi	(206) 659-9998
Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Puget Sound	Tukwila, WA	8.1 mi	(206) 320-4000
Continuum Care Of King LLC	Tukwila, WA	8.1 mi	(206) 752-1100

Nursing homes near Kent (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Benson Heights Rehabilitation Center	Kent, WA	1.1 mi	3 of 5	91	(253) 852-7755
Valley View Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation	Renton, WA	3.6 mi	3 of 5	136	(425) 226-7500
North Auburn Care	Auburn, WA	3.9 mi	2 of 5	125	(253) 561-8100
Cedar River Healthcare Center	Renton, WA	4.1 mi	3 of 5	60	(425) 362-6200

Straight-line miles from the center of Kent. 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 Kent

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 35% of the $5,693 monthly median income of Kent 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 Kent: common questions

Which hospices serve Kent?

Medicare lists 22 hospices for Kent ZIP codes, including Wesley Homes Hospice, LLC, Eden Hospice, Heart And Soul Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Kent?

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 35% of the $5,693 monthly median income of Kent 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 Kent. 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 Kent

More senior care near Kent

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kent

More for Kent 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 Kent, WA