Respite Care in Ontario, OH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Ontario, OH: the local picture

1,199

residents 65 or older (18% of Ontario)

64%

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

47%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Richland County)

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ontario ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ontario live with someone: 64% 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 555 Ontario residents aged 65 or older report a disability (47%) (34% in Richland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Ontario ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ontario compared with Richland County and Ohio

Census figure	Ontario	Richland County	Ohio
Residents 65+ with a disability	47%	34%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	32%
Residents 65 or older	18%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.5%	2.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	9.9%	10%
Households with no vehicle	5.9%	7.2%	7.5%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,917	$47,780	—

Older residents in towns around Ontario

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Mansfield, OH	4.4 mi	9,502	39%
Lexington, OH	6.4 mi	846	33%
Crestline, OH	7.0 mi	762	36%
Shelby, OH	8.4 mi	1,849	31%
Galion, OH	9.0 mi	2,124	36%
Ashland, OH	17 mi	3,939	33%

Hospices serving Ontario

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Southern Care Youngstown	Youngstown, OH	103 mi	(330) 797-8940

Nursing homes near Ontario (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Crystal Care Center Of Mansfie	Mansfield, OH	3.2 mi	3 of 5	74	(419) 747-2666
Jag Healthcare Mansfield	Mansfield, OH	4.8 mi	1 of 5	66	(419) 774-5100
Liberty Nursing Center Of Mansfield	Mansfield, OH	5.0 mi	2 of 5	68	(419) 756-7111
Winchester Terrace	Mansfield, OH	5.8 mi	2 of 5	83	(419) 756-4747

Straight-line miles from the center of Ontario. 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 Ontario

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,826 monthly median income of Ontario households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Ontario: common questions

Which hospices serve Ontario?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Ontario ZIP codes, including Southern Care Youngstown.

How much does respite care cost in Ontario?

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,826 monthly median income of Ontario households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Ontario. 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 Ohio.

More near Ontario

More senior care near Ontario

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ontario

More for Ontario 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 Ontario, OH