Respite Care in Lincoln, NE: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lincoln, NE: the local picture

43,734

residents 65 or older (15% of Lincoln)

69%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability

22

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lincoln ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lincoln live with someone: 69% 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 13,227 Lincoln residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 22 hospices serving Lincoln ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lincoln compared with Nebraska

Census figure	Lincoln	Nebraska
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	31%
Residents 65 or older	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.4%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	6.7%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$61,525	—

Older residents in towns around Lincoln

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Waverly, NE	10 mi	828	5.7%
Hickman, NE	13 mi	291	37%
Crete, NE	19 mi	959	34%
Milford, NE	20 mi	404	24%
Ashland, NE	22 mi	405	25%
Seward, NE	23 mi	1,320	35%

Hospices serving Lincoln

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St. Croix Hospice	Lincoln, NE	1.1 mi	(402) 328-2350
Chi Health At Home - Lincoln	Lincoln, NE	1.1 mi	(402) 219-7043
Horisun Hospice	Lincoln, NE	1.1 mi	(402) 484-6444
Eventide Hospice	Lincoln, NE	1.1 mi	(402) 486-8506
Hospice Of Nebraska, LLC	Lincoln, NE	3.9 mi	(402) 416-7000

Nursing homes near Lincoln (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Eventide Lincoln Care Center	Lincoln, NE	1.1 mi	1 of 5	197	(402) 483-7671
Sumner Place	Lincoln, NE	1.4 mi	4 of 5	104	(402) 475-6791
Gateway Vista	Lincoln, NE	1.6 mi	3 of 5	80	(402) 464-6371
Ambassador Health Of Lincoln	Lincoln, NE	1.7 mi	2 of 5	122	(402) 488-2355

Straight-line miles from the center of Lincoln. 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 Lincoln

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 29% of the $5,127 monthly median income of Lincoln 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 Lincoln: common questions

Which hospices serve Lincoln?

Medicare lists 22 hospices for Lincoln ZIP codes, including St. Croix Hospice, Chi Health At Home - Lincoln, Horisun Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lincoln?

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 29% of the $5,127 monthly median income of Lincoln 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 Lincoln. 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 Lincoln

More senior care near Lincoln

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lincoln

More for Lincoln 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 Lincoln, NE