Respite Care in Lancaster, OH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lancaster, OH: the local picture

7,728

residents 65 or older (19% of Lancaster)

68%

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

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Fairfield County)

26

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lancaster ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lancaster 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 2,988 Lancaster residents aged 65 or older report a disability (42%) (35% in Fairfield County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 26 hospices serving Lancaster ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lancaster compared with Fairfield County and Ohio

Census figure	Lancaster	Fairfield County	Ohio
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	35%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	23%	32%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.0%	1.9%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.9%	8.2%	10%
Households with no vehicle	7.7%	4.1%	7.5%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,429	$60,487	—

Older residents in towns around Lancaster

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Baltimore, OH	8.3 mi	641	38%
Lithopolis, OH	13 mi	213	43%
Pickerington, OH	14 mi	3,018	39%
Canal Winchester, OH	14 mi	2,171	42%
Buckeye Lake, OH	16 mi	468	48%
Logan, OH	17 mi	1,183	44%

Hospices serving Lancaster

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Fairhope Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc	Lancaster, OH	0.5 mi	(740) 654-7077
Zusman Community Hospice	Columbus, OH	23 mi	(614) 559-0350
Heartland Hospice	Columbus, OH	26 mi	(614) 840-9856
Echo Hospice Of Ohio LLC	Gahanna, OH	26 mi	(614) 929-7930
Hospice Of Central Ohio	Newark, OH	26 mi	(740) 788-1400

Nursing homes near Lancaster (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Springs At Wyandot Trail	Lancaster, OH	1.2 mi	5 of 5	52	(740) 901-0356
Main Street Terrace Care Center	Lancaster, OH	1.7 mi	4 of 5	50	(740) 653-8767
Buckeye Care And Rehabilitation	Lancaster, OH	2.5 mi	1 of 5	99	(740) 653-8630
Lanfair Center For Rehab & Nsg Care Inc	Lancaster, OH	2.5 mi	4 of 5	84	(740) 687-5100

Straight-line miles from the center of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,702 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Lancaster: common questions

Which hospices serve Lancaster?

Medicare lists 26 hospices for Lancaster ZIP codes, including Fairhope Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc, Zusman Community Hospice, Heartland Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lancaster?

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,702 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Lancaster. 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 Ohio.

More near Lancaster

More senior care near Lancaster

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lancaster

More for Lancaster 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 Lancaster, OH