Respite Care in Merrydale, LA
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Merrydale for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Merrydale, LA: the local picture
Most older adults in Merrydale live with someone: 76% 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 454 Merrydale residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (36% in East Baton Rouge Parish). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 16 hospices serving Merrydale ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Merrydale compared with East Baton Rouge Parish and Louisiana
| Census figure | Merrydale | East Baton Rouge Parish | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 36% | 38% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 24% | 31% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 15% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.2% | 1.5% | 1.7% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 29% | 11% | 15% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.2% | 8.1% | 8.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $22,387 | $55,806 | — |
Older residents in towns around Merrydale
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownfields, LA | 3.2 mi | 699 | 47% |
| Monticello, LA | 3.9 mi | 611 | 34% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 4.4 mi | 31,584 | 39% |
| Central, LA | 6.0 mi | 5,474 | 33% |
| Westminster, LA | 6.5 mi | 525 | 43% |
| Baker, LA | 6.5 mi | 1,390 | 37% |
Hospices serving Merrydale
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Compassus - Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | 3.8 mi | (225) 768-0866 |
| The Hospice Of Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | 3.8 mi | (225) 767-4673 |
| St. Joseph Hospice Of Acadiana, LLC | Baton Rouge, LA | 6.4 mi | (225) 769-4810 |
| Hospice In His Care, LLC | Baton Rouge, LA | 6.4 mi | (225) 214-0010 |
| Audubon Hospice Care | Baton Rouge, LA | 6.4 mi | (225) 924-6830 |
Nursing homes near Merrydale (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Clare Manor Nursing And Rehabilitation | Baton Rouge, LA | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 184 | (225) 216-3604 |
| The Guest House Care Center | Baton Rouge, LA | 3.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 104 | (225) 272-0111 |
| Baton Rouge General Medical Center, SNF | Baton Rouge, LA | 3.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 2 | (225) 387-7161 |
| Capitol House Nursing And Rehab Center | Baton Rouge, LA | 4.2 mi | 1 of 5 | 132 | (225) 275-0474 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Merrydale. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Merrydale
At the Louisiana median aide wage of $10.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $939 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $1,866 monthly median income of Merrydale households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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.
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.
Respite Care in Merrydale: common questions
Which hospices serve Merrydale?
Medicare lists 16 hospices for Merrydale ZIP codes, including Hospice Compassus - Baton Rouge, The Hospice Of Baton Rouge, St. Joseph Hospice Of Acadiana, LLC.
How much does respite care cost in Merrydale?
At the Louisiana median aide wage of $10.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $939 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $1,866 monthly median income of Merrydale households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 Merrydale. 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 Louisiana.
More senior care near Merrydale
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Brownfields, LA
- Respite Care in Monticello, LA
- Respite Care in Baton Rouge, LA
- Respite Care in Central, LA
- Respite Care in Westminster, LA
- Respite Care in Baker, LA
- Respite Care in Port Allen, LA
- Respite Care in Inniswold, LA
- Respite Care in Oak Hills Place, LA
- Respite Care in Denham Springs, LA
- Respite Care in Shenandoah, LA
- Respite Care in Gardere, LA
- Respite Care in Village St. George, LA
- Respite Care in Old Jefferson, LA
- Respite Care in Brusly, LA
- Respite Care in Zachary, LA
Other care in Merrydale
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.
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