Respite Care in Oxford, AL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Oxford, AL: the local picture

3,678

residents 65 or older (17% of Oxford)

72%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (45% in Calhoun County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Oxford ZIP codes

Most older adults in Oxford live with someone: 72% 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 1,331 Oxford residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (45% in Calhoun County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Oxford ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Oxford compared with Calhoun County and Alabama

Census figure	Oxford	Calhoun County	Alabama
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	45%	38%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	31%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.7%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	1.4%	6.4%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,487	$48,063	—

Older residents in towns around Oxford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West End-Cobb Town, AL	3.8 mi	542	51%
Anniston, AL	6.3 mi	4,769	46%
Saks, AL	8.0 mi	2,035	49%
Choccolocco, AL	10 mi	680	22%
Alexandria, AL	11 mi	650	50%
Weaver, AL	12 mi	462	54%

Hospices serving Oxford

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Alabama Hospice Care Of East Alabama	Anniston, AL	4.3 mi	(256) 831-2031
Southerncare New Beacon - Anniston	Anniston, AL	11 mi	(205) 236-5334
Compassus-Gadsden	Southside, AL	23 mi	(256) 782-3560
Lakeside Hospice Inc	Pell City, AL	27 mi	(205) 884-1111
Aveanna Hospice Of Pell City	Pell City, AL	27 mi	(205) 813-0290

Nursing homes near Oxford (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Diversicare Of Oxford	Oxford, AL	2.4 mi	1 of 5	173	(256) 831-0481
Nhc Healthcare, Anniston	Anniston, AL	4.5 mi	2 of 5	151	(256) 831-5730
Anniston Health And Rehab Services	Anniston, AL	4.8 mi	4 of 5	85	(256) 236-4949
Jacksonville Health And Rehabilitation, LLC	Jacksonville, AL	16 mi	3 of 5	167	(256) 435-7704

Straight-line miles from the center of Oxford. 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 Oxford

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 24% of the $4,791 monthly median income of Oxford 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 Oxford: common questions

Which hospices serve Oxford?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Oxford ZIP codes, including Alabama Hospice Care Of East Alabama, Southerncare New Beacon - Anniston, Compassus-Gadsden.

How much does respite care cost in Oxford?

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 24% of the $4,791 monthly median income of Oxford 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 Oxford. 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 Oxford

More senior care near Oxford

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Oxford

More for Oxford 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 Oxford, AL