Respite Care in Missoula, MT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Missoula, MT: the local picture

11,497

residents 65 or older (15% of Missoula)

63%

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

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Missoula County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Missoula ZIP codes

Most older adults in Missoula live with someone: 63% 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 3,136 Missoula residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (29% in Missoula County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Missoula ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Missoula compared with Missoula County and Montana

Census figure	Missoula	Missoula County	Montana
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	15%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.7%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.6%	8.4%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	6.7%	5.2%	4.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,421	$60,593	—

Older residents in towns around Missoula

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Orchard Homes, MT	2.8 mi	1,256	40%
Lolo, MT	8.1 mi	526	23%
Hamilton, MT	43 mi	1,748	48%
Polson, MT	56 mi	1,348	27%
Anaconda, MT	68 mi	2,528	40%
Deer Lodge, MT	70 mi	745	51%

Hospices serving Missoula

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Big Sky Hospice	Missoula, MT	1.2 mi	(406) 543-4408
Trek Healthcare	Missoula, MT	1.2 mi	(406) 541-1800
Hestia Home Advantage	Missoula, MT	3.6 mi	(406) 540-4302
Bitterroot Health - Hospice	Hamilton, MT	44 mi	(406) 363-6503
Partners In Home Care Hospice	Ronan, MT	47 mi	(406) 728-8848

Nursing homes near Missoula (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Village Health & Rehabilitation	Missoula, MT	1.9 mi	3 of 5	193	(406) 728-9162
Riverside Health & Rehabilitation	Missoula, MT	2.7 mi	3 of 5	72	(406) 721-0680
Missoula Health & Rehabilitation Center	Missoula, MT	2.9 mi	4 of 5	53	(406) 549-0988

Straight-line miles from the center of Missoula. 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 Missoula

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 31% of the $4,952 monthly median income of Missoula 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 Missoula: common questions

Which hospices serve Missoula?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Missoula ZIP codes, including Big Sky Hospice, Trek Healthcare, Hestia Home Advantage.

How much does respite care cost in Missoula?

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 31% of the $4,952 monthly median income of Missoula 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 Missoula. 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 Missoula

More senior care near Missoula

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Missoula

More for Missoula 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 Missoula, MT