Respite Care in Oskaloosa, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Oskaloosa, IA: the local picture

2,347

residents 65 or older (20% of Oskaloosa)

74%

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

35%

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

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Oskaloosa ZIP codes

Most older adults in Oskaloosa live with someone: 74% 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 731 Oskaloosa residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (34% in Mahaska County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Oskaloosa compared with Mahaska County and Iowa

Census figure	Oskaloosa	Mahaska County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	26%	31%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.0%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	6.5%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	4.0%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,023	$50,470	—

Older residents in towns around Oskaloosa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pella, IA	16 mi	2,017	35%
Albia, IA	20 mi	812	46%
Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	4,107	43%
Knoxville, IA	24 mi	1,720	44%
Grinnell, IA	31 mi	2,034	34%
Newton, IA	35 mi	3,381	31%

Hospices serving Oskaloosa

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services	Oskaloosa, IA	0.2 mi	(641) 672-3140
Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House	Pella, IA	16 mi	(641) 628-6644
Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia	Albia, IA	20 mi	(641) 932-3488
Good Samaritan Society Home Care And Hospice	Ottumwa, IA	22 mi	(641) 684-9309
Everystep	Des Moines, IA	51 mi	(515) 274-3400

Nursing homes near Oskaloosa (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Crystal Heights Care Center	Oskaloosa, IA	1.1 mi	3 of 5	72	(641) 673-7032
Oskaloosa Care Center	Oskaloosa, IA	1.4 mi	1 of 5	83	(641) 676-3414
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care	Oskaloosa, IA	1.6 mi	3 of 5	79	(641) 673-3000
The Cottages	Pella, IA	17 mi	1 of 5	100	(641) 628-1244

Straight-line miles from the center of Oskaloosa. 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 Oskaloosa

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Oskaloosa: common questions

Which hospices serve Oskaloosa?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Oskaloosa ZIP codes, including Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services, Hospice Of Pella, The Comfort House, Care Initiatives Hospice - Albia.

How much does respite care cost in Oskaloosa?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,169 monthly median income of Oskaloosa households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Oskaloosa. 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 Iowa.

More near Oskaloosa

More senior care near Oskaloosa

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Oskaloosa

More for Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa, IA