Respite Care in Norfolk, NE: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Norfolk, NE: the local picture

4,543

residents 65 or older (17% of Norfolk)

66%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Madison County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Norfolk ZIP codes

Most older adults in Norfolk live with someone: 66% 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 1,432 Norfolk residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (31% in Madison County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Norfolk compared with Madison County and Nebraska

Census figure	Norfolk	Madison County	Nebraska
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	31%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	31%	31%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	3.1%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	12%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	8.3%	6.9%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,149	$46,624	—

Older residents in towns around Norfolk

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Wayne, NE	26 mi	734	41%
West Point, NE	39 mi	788	34%
Columbus, NE	41 mi	4,324	33%
Schuyler, NE	44 mi	519	4.3%
David City, NE	56 mi	568	19%
Dakota Dunes, SD	58 mi	756	22%

Hospices serving Norfolk

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Aseracare Hospice	Norfolk, NE	0.4 mi	(402) 379-4158
Faith Health Hospice	Norfolk, NE	0.4 mi	(402) 644-7453
Avera @ Home	Yankton, SD	59 mi	(605) 668-8327
St. Croix Hospice	Omaha, NE	86 mi	(402) 609-4818

Nursing homes near Norfolk (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
St. Joseph's Rehabilitation And Care Center	Norfolk, NE	0.6 mi	2 of 5	83	(402) 644-7375
Heritage Of Bel Air	Norfolk, NE	1.1 mi	5 of 5	112	(402) 371-4991
Community Pride Care Center	Battle Creek, NE	9.2 mi	4 of 5	50	(402) 675-2955
Stanton Health Center	Stanton, NE	12 mi	4 of 5	70	(402) 439-2111

Straight-line miles from the center of Norfolk. 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 Norfolk

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,762 monthly median income of Norfolk households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Norfolk: common questions

Which hospices serve Norfolk?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Norfolk ZIP codes, including Aseracare Hospice, Faith Health Hospice, Avera @ Home.

How much does respite care cost in Norfolk?

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $3,762 monthly median income of Norfolk households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Norfolk. 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 Nebraska.

More near Norfolk

More senior care near Norfolk

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Norfolk

More for Norfolk 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 Norfolk, NE