Respite Care in Lockwood, MT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lockwood, MT: the local picture

1,212

residents 65 or older (17% of Lockwood)

80%

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

43%

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

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lockwood ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lockwood live with someone: 80% 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 512 Lockwood residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (35% in Yellowstone County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Lockwood compared with Yellowstone County and Montana

Census figure	Lockwood	Yellowstone County	Montana
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	35%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	30%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.1%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	8.7%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	1.6%	4.3%	4.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,816	$60,402	—

Older residents in towns around Lockwood

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Billings, MT	8.0 mi	22,510	35%
Laurel, MT	21 mi	1,046	49%
Hardin, MT	38 mi	513	40%
Red Lodge, MT	60 mi	845	18%

Hospices serving Lockwood

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassus Hospice Billings	Billings, MT	6.3 mi	(406) 294-0785
Riverstone Health	Billings, MT	6.3 mi	(406) 247-3200
St Johns United Hospice	Billings, MT	6.3 mi	(406) 655-5800
Stillwater Hospice	Billings, MT	9.1 mi	(406) 702-1742

Nursing homes near Lockwood (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
River Ridge Rehabilitation And Nursing LLC	Billings, MT	2.7 mi	2 of 5	129	(406) 245-9330
Billings Rehabilitation And Nursing LLC	Billings, MT	6.2 mi	2 of 5	100	(406) 259-8000
Skyline Heights Nursing And Rehabilitation	Billings, MT	9.3 mi	1 of 5	150	(406) 656-5010
Yellowstone River Nursing And Rehabilitation	Billings, MT	9.3 mi	1 of 5	160	(406) 656-6500

Straight-line miles from the center of Lockwood. 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 Lockwood

At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,735 monthly median income of Lockwood households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Lockwood: common questions

Which hospices serve Lockwood?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Lockwood ZIP codes, including Compassus Hospice Billings, Riverstone Health, St Johns United Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lockwood?

At the Montana median aide wage of $17.61 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,526 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $5,735 monthly median income of Lockwood households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 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 Lockwood. 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 Montana.

More near Lockwood

More senior care near Lockwood

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lockwood

More for Lockwood 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 Lockwood, MT