Respite Care in Keokuk, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Keokuk, IA: the local picture

2,065

residents 65 or older (21% of Keokuk)

60%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Lee County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Keokuk ZIP codes

Most older adults in Keokuk live with someone: 60% 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 666 Keokuk residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (32% in Lee County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Keokuk ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Keokuk compared with Lee County and Iowa

Census figure	Keokuk	Lee County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	33%	31%
Residents 65 or older	21%	22%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	2.6%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.4%	9.1%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	7.7%	5.0%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$40,938	$44,102	—

Older residents in towns around Keokuk

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hamilton, IL	2.5 mi	542	35%
Fort Madison, IA	15 mi	2,208	40%
Canton, MO	20 mi	343	36%
West Burlington, IA	31 mi	631	37%
Burlington, IA	31 mi	5,107	35%
Quincy, IL	33 mi	7,928	43%

Hospices serving Keokuk

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Lee County Health Department	Fort Madison, IA	16 mi	(319) 372-5225
Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice	West Burlington, IA	31 mi	(319) 768-3350
Everystep	Mount Pleasant, IA	39 mi	(319) 385-4472
Hospice Compassus - Northeast Iowa	Cedar Rapids, IA	108 mi	(319) 362-2500

Nursing homes near Keokuk (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Southeast Iowa Healthcare Center	Keokuk, IA	0.8 mi	4 of 5	55	(319) 524-1800
Mississippi Valley	Keokuk, IA	0.9 mi	3 of 5	83	(319) 524-5321
River Hills Village In Keokuk	Keokuk, IA	1.7 mi	3 of 5	84	(319) 524-5772
Montrose Health Center	Montrose, IA	8.1 mi	3 of 5	44	(319) 463-5438

Straight-line miles from the center of Keokuk. 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 Keokuk

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,412 monthly median income of Keokuk households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Keokuk: common questions

Which hospices serve Keokuk?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Keokuk ZIP codes, including Lee County Health Department, Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, Everystep.

How much does respite care cost in Keokuk?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,412 monthly median income of Keokuk households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Keokuk. 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 Iowa.

More near Keokuk

More senior care near Keokuk

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Keokuk

More for Keokuk 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 Keokuk, IA