Respite Care in La Crosse, WI
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in La Crosse for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in La Crosse, WI: the local picture
Most older adults in La Crosse live with someone: 62% 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 2,902 La Crosse residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (32% in La Crosse County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 10 hospices serving La Crosse ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
La Crosse compared with La Crosse County and Wisconsin
| Census figure | La Crosse | La Crosse County | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 34% | 32% | 28% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 30% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 18% | 19% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 9.7% | 9.1% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.8% | 7.0% | 6.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $45,247 | $55,379 | — |
Older residents in towns around La Crosse
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Island, WI | 3.0 mi | 898 | 29% |
| La Crescent, MN | 4.0 mi | 1,204 | 25% |
| Onalaska, WI | 4.6 mi | 3,955 | 36% |
| West Salem, WI | 8.5 mi | 975 | 29% |
| Holmen, WI | 10 mi | 1,556 | 39% |
| Caledonia, MN | 19 mi | 618 | 29% |
Hospices serving La Crosse
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Croix Hospice La Crosse | La Crosse, WI | 1.8 mi | (608) 405-7592 |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center | La Crosse, WI | 1.8 mi | (608) 775-8435 |
| Hospice Touch | Tomah, WI | 39 mi | (608) 374-0250 |
| Moments Hospice Of Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 68 mi | (715) 800-0900 |
| St Croix Hospice Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 68 mi | (715) 598-2635 |
Nursing homes near La Crosse (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | La Crosse, WI | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 123 | (608) 406-3900 |
| Benedictine Manor Of Lacrosse | La Crosse, WI | 3.0 mi | 1 of 5 | 80 | (608) 788-9870 |
| Hillview Health Care Ctr | La Crosse, WI | 3.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 37 | (608) 789-4800 |
| Bethany St Joseph Care Ctr | La Crosse, WI | 3.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 100 | (608) 788-5700 |
Straight-line miles from the center of La Crosse. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in La Crosse
At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,771 monthly median income of La Crosse households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.
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.
Respite Care in La Crosse: common questions
Which hospices serve La Crosse?
Medicare lists 10 hospices for La Crosse ZIP codes, including St Croix Hospice La Crosse, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Hospice Touch.
How much does respite care cost in La Crosse?
At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,771 monthly median income of La Crosse households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 La Crosse. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.
More senior care near La Crosse
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in French Island, WI
- Respite Care in La Crescent, MN
- Respite Care in Onalaska, WI
- Respite Care in West Salem, WI
- Respite Care in Holmen, WI
- Respite Care in Caledonia, MN
- Respite Care in Sparta, WI
- Respite Care in Viroqua, WI
- Respite Care in Winona, MN
- Respite Care in Goodview, MN
- Respite Care in Arcadia, WI
- Respite Care in Tomah, WI
- Respite Care in Black River Falls, WI
- Respite Care in Waukon, IA
- Respite Care in St. Charles, MN
- Respite Care in Decorah, IA
Other care in La Crosse
- Companion Care in La Crosse
- Dementia Care in La Crosse
- Live-In Caregivers in La Crosse
- Post-Surgery Care in La Crosse
- Senior Transportation in La Crosse
- Home Health Aides in La Crosse
- Nursing Assistants in La Crosse
- Personal Care in La Crosse
- Overnight Caregivers in La Crosse
- 24-Hour Home Care in La Crosse
- Mobility Assistance in La Crosse
- Parkinson’s Care in La Crosse
- Stroke Recovery Support in La Crosse
- Disability Care for Adults in La Crosse
- Hospice Support in La Crosse
- Senior Meal Preparation in La Crosse
- Senior Housekeeping in La Crosse
- Medication Reminders in La Crosse
- Veterans’ Home Care in La Crosse
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.
Find respite care in La Crosse
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near La Crosse can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
