Respite Care in Kurtistown, HI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kurtistown, HI: the local picture

833

residents 65 or older (26% of Kurtistown)

95%

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

48%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Hawaii County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kurtistown ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kurtistown live with someone: 95% 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 402 Kurtistown residents aged 65 or older report a disability (48%) (33% in Hawaii County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Kurtistown compared with Hawaii County and Hawaii

Census figure	Kurtistown	Hawaii County	Hawaii
Residents 65+ with a disability	48%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	4.9%	22%	20%
Residents 65 or older	26%	24%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.3%	2.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.8%	11%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	5.7%	4.8%	8.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$95,284	$69,877	—

Older residents in towns around Kurtistown

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hawaiian Acres, HI	4.0 mi	664	18%
Orchidlands Estates, HI	4.2 mi	450	26%
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI	6.4 mi	3,062	36%
Ainaloa, HI	6.7 mi	993	52%
Hilo, HI	7.1 mi	11,451	32%
Mountain View, HI	8.2 mi	651	36%

Hospices serving Kurtistown

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Dba Hawai'i Care Choices	Hilo, HI	8.2 mi	(808) 969-1733
North Hawaii Hospice, Inc	Kamuela, HI	51 mi	(808) 885-7547

Nursing homes near Kurtistown (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Life Care Center Of Hilo	Hilo, HI	6.8 mi	5 of 5	252	(808) 959-9151
Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation & Nursing Center	Hilo, HI	8.6 mi	1 of 5	100	(808) 498-0184
Hilo Benioff Medical Center	Hilo, HI	9.4 mi	4 of 5	52	(808) 932-3000
Hale Anuenue Restorative Care	Hilo, HI	9.4 mi	4 of 5	120	(808) 961-6644

Straight-line miles from the center of Kurtistown. 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 Kurtistown

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $7,940 monthly median income of Kurtistown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 Kurtistown: common questions

Which hospices serve Kurtistown?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Kurtistown ZIP codes, including Dba Hawai'i Care Choices, North Hawaii Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Kurtistown?

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $7,940 monthly median income of Kurtistown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 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 Kurtistown. 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 Hawaii.

More near Kurtistown

More senior care near Kurtistown

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kurtistown

More for Kurtistown 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 Kurtistown, HI