Respite Care in Lexington, NE: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lexington, NE: the local picture

1,013

residents 65 or older (9.3% of Lexington)

65%

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

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Dawson County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lexington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lexington live with someone: 65% 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 480 Lexington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (49%) (40% in Dawson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Lexington compared with Dawson County and Nebraska

Census figure	Lexington	Dawson County	Nebraska
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	40%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	31%	31%
Residents 65 or older	9.3%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	13%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	4.8%	5.2%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,065	$46,850	—

Older residents in towns around Lexington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cozad, NE	14 mi	1,015	48%
Gothenburg, NE	24 mi	736	34%
Holdrege, NE	30 mi	1,208	38%
Kearney, NE	35 mi	5,546	29%
Broken Bow, NE	44 mi	675	43%
Minden, NE	45 mi	681	37%

Hospices serving Lexington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Central Plains Hospice	Cozad, NE	14 mi	(308) 784-4630
Brookestone Home Health & Hospice	Kearney, NE	32 mi	(308) 995-4375
Aseracare Hospice	Kearney, NE	35 mi	(308) 698-0580
Eventide Hospice	Lincoln, NE	162 mi	(402) 486-8506

Nursing homes near Lexington (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Cozad	Cozad, NE	14 mi	1 of 5	67	(308) 784-3715
Elwood Care Center	Elwood, NE	14 mi	5 of 5	43	(308) 785-3302
Bertrand Nursing Home	Bertrand, NE	19 mi	5 of 5	26	(308) 472-3341
Hilltop Estates	Gothenburg, NE	24 mi	2 of 5	64	(308) 537-7138

Straight-line miles from the center of Lexington. 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 Lexington

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,589 monthly median income of Lexington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Lexington: common questions

Which hospices serve Lexington?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Lexington ZIP codes, including Central Plains Hospice, Brookestone Home Health & Hospice, Aseracare Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lexington?

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,589 monthly median income of Lexington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Lexington. 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 Nebraska.

More near Lexington

More senior care near Lexington

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lexington

More for Lexington 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 Lexington, NE