Respite Care in Muscle Shoals, AL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Muscle Shoals, AL: the local picture

3,033

residents 65 or older (18% of Muscle Shoals)

70%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Colbert County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Muscle Shoals ZIP codes

Most older adults in Muscle Shoals live with someone: 70% 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 1,006 Muscle Shoals residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (41% in Colbert County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Muscle Shoals ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Muscle Shoals compared with Colbert County and Alabama

Census figure	Muscle Shoals	Colbert County	Alabama
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	41%	38%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	13%	12%
Households with no vehicle	2.0%	4.6%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,463	$41,996	—

Older residents in towns around Muscle Shoals

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Sheffield, AL	3.7 mi	2,392	43%
Tuscumbia, AL	4.2 mi	1,963	46%
Florence, AL	6.2 mi	7,294	43%
Underwood-Petersville, AL	9.9 mi	787	36%
Russellville, AL	17 mi	1,593	47%
Moulton, AL	27 mi	967	41%

Hospices serving Muscle Shoals

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Alabama Hospice Of The Shoals	Tuscumbia, AL	4.7 mi	(256) 314-1204
Amedisys Hospice Of Florence	Florence, AL	6.2 mi	(256) 760-7877
Preferred Hospice	Florence, AL	6.2 mi	(256) 767-1322
Compassus-Florence	Florence, AL	12 mi	(256) 757-2414
Aveanna Hospice Of Decatur	Decatur, AL	38 mi	(256) 905-0280

Nursing homes near Muscle Shoals (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Cypress Cove Care Center	Muscle Shoals, AL	0.2 mi	5 of 5	90	(256) 381-4330
Cottage Of The Shoals	Tuscumbia, AL	2.8 mi	4 of 5	103	(256) 383-4541
Keller Landing	Tuscumbia, AL	4.1 mi	5 of 5	109	(256) 383-1535
El Reposo Nursing Facility	Florence, AL	4.6 mi	3 of 5	60	(256) 757-2143

Straight-line miles from the center of Muscle Shoals. 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 Muscle Shoals

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,539 monthly median income of Muscle Shoals households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama 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.

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 Muscle Shoals: common questions

Which hospices serve Muscle Shoals?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Muscle Shoals ZIP codes, including Alabama Hospice Of The Shoals, Amedisys Hospice Of Florence, Preferred Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Muscle Shoals?

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,539 monthly median income of Muscle Shoals households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama 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 Muscle Shoals. 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 Alabama.

More near Muscle Shoals

More senior care near Muscle Shoals

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Muscle Shoals

More for Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals, AL