Respite Care in Merrillville, IN for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Merrillville, IN: the local picture

7,540

residents 65 or older (21% of Merrillville)

59%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Lake County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Merrillville ZIP codes

Most older adults in Merrillville live with someone: 59% 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 2,323 Merrillville residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (32% in Lake County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Merrillville ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Merrillville compared with Lake County and Indiana

Census figure	Merrillville	Lake County	Indiana
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	32%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	21%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.0%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	11%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	8.4%	7.2%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,614	$53,273	—

Older residents in towns around Merrillville

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hobart, IN	3.6 mi	4,478	32%
Crown Point, IN	4.6 mi	6,282	28%
Winfield, IN	5.1 mi	970	25%
Ross, IN	5.2 mi	1,051	40%
Schererville, IN	6.5 mi	6,515	28%
Griffith, IN	6.7 mi	2,974	29%

Hospices serving Merrillville

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unity Hospice Of Northwest Indiana LLC	Merrillville, IN	2.3 mi	(219) 769-8648
Traditions Health	Crown Point, IN	3.9 mi	(219) 661-3100
Transitions Crown Point, LLC	Crown Point, IN	3.9 mi	(317) 954-6600
Providence Hospice, Inc	Saint John, IN	8.4 mi	(800) 509-2800
Hospice Of The Calumet Area Inc	Munster, IN	11 mi	(219) 922-2732

Nursing homes near Merrillville (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Lincolnshire Health & Rehabilitation Center	Merrillville, IN	0.7 mi	1 of 5	100	(219) 769-9009
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center	Merrillville, IN	1.2 mi	1 of 5	164	(219) 736-1310
Spring Mill Health Campus	Merrillville, IN	1.3 mi	1 of 5	64	(219) 756-0744
Casa Of Hobart	Hobart, IN	3.9 mi	1 of 5	138	(219) 947-1507

Straight-line miles from the center of Merrillville. 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 Merrillville

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,218 monthly median income of Merrillville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Merrillville: common questions

Which hospices serve Merrillville?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Merrillville ZIP codes, including Unity Hospice Of Northwest Indiana LLC, Traditions Health, Transitions Crown Point, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Merrillville?

At the Indiana median aide wage of $16.86 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,461 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,218 monthly median income of Merrillville households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Indiana's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Merrillville. 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 Indiana.

More near Merrillville

More senior care near Merrillville

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Merrillville

More for Merrillville 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 Merrillville, IN