Respite Care in La Junta, CO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in La Junta, CO: the local picture

1,536

residents 65 or older (22% of La Junta)

68%

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

47%

of residents 65+ report a disability (43% in Otero County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve La Junta ZIP codes

Most older adults in La Junta live with someone: 68% 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 710 La Junta residents aged 65 or older report a disability (47%) (43% in Otero County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving La Junta ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

La Junta compared with Otero County and Colorado

Census figure	La Junta	Otero County	Colorado
Residents 65+ with a disability	47%	43%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	35%	28%
Residents 65 or older	22%	21%	16%
Residents 85 or older	4.7%	3.6%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	15%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	7.6%	5.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,271	$37,917	—

Older residents in towns around La Junta

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Rocky Ford, CO	11 mi	647	34%
Las Animas, CO	19 mi	553	35%
Lamar, CO	51 mi	1,126	46%
Pueblo, CO	61 mi	21,419	40%

Hospices serving La Junta

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Arkansas Valley Hospice Inc	La Junta, CO	6.6 mi	(719) 384-8827
Sangre De Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care	Pueblo, CO	63 mi	(719) 542-0032
MT Rose Health Center Palliative Care And Hospice Inc.	Trinidad, CO	72 mi	(719) 846-8478

Nursing homes near La Junta (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pioneer Health Care Center	Rocky Ford, CO	10 mi	4 of 5	101	(719) 254-3314
Bluestem Village	La Junta, CO	17 mi	not rated	56	(303) 363-1700
Bent County Healthcare Center	Las Animas, CO	18 mi	4 of 5	56	(719) 456-1340
Crowley County Nursing Center	Ordway, CO	20 mi	5 of 5	44	(719) 267-3561

Straight-line miles from the center of La Junta. 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 La Junta

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,189 monthly median income of La Junta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 La Junta: common questions

Which hospices serve La Junta?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for La Junta ZIP codes, including Arkansas Valley Hospice Inc, Sangre De Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care, MT Rose Health Center Palliative Care And Hospice Inc..

How much does respite care cost in La Junta?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,189 monthly median income of La Junta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Junta. 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 Colorado.

More near La Junta

More senior care near La Junta

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in La Junta

More for La Junta 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 La Junta, CO