Respite Care in Paola, KS: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Paola, KS: the local picture

1,363

residents 65 or older (24% of Paola)

54%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Miami County)

25

Medicare-certified hospices serve Paola ZIP codes

Most older adults in Paola live with someone: 54% 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 385 Paola residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (28% in Miami County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 25 hospices serving Paola ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Paola compared with Miami County and Kansas

Census figure	Paola	Miami County	Kansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	46%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	24%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.3%	1.6%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.1%	11%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	4.8%	2.2%	5.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,659	$52,156	—

Older residents in towns around Paola

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Osawatomie, KS	7.2 mi	553	29%
Louisburg, KS	10 mi	1,100	25%
Spring Hill, KS	12 mi	887	39%
Gardner, KS	16 mi	2,049	32%
Olathe, KS	21 mi	19,950	27%
Ottawa, KS	22 mi	1,889	46%

Hospices serving Paola

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Evergreen Hospice Care LLC	Olathe, KS	21 mi	(913) 477-8248
Hospice The University Of Kansas Health System	Olathe, KS	21 mi	(913) 324-8515
Good Shepherd Hospice Of Mid America Inc	Olathe, KS	21 mi	(913) 322-3297
Faith Hospice Inc	Overland Park, KS	25 mi	(913) 296-7636
Faith Hospice Care	Overland Park, KS	25 mi	(913) 296-7636

Nursing homes near Paola (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
North Point Skilled Nursing Center	Paola, KS	0.8 mi	4 of 5	53	(913) 294-4308
Medicalodges Paola	Paola, KS	0.8 mi	1 of 5	70	(913) 294-3345
Louisburg Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Louisburg, KS	9.9 mi	3 of 5	60	(913) 837-2916
Spring Hill Care And Rehab	Spring Hill, KS	12 mi	2 of 5	45	(913) 592-3100

Straight-line miles from the center of Paola. 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 Paola

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,222 monthly median income of Paola households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Paola: common questions

Which hospices serve Paola?

Medicare lists 25 hospices for Paola ZIP codes, including Evergreen Hospice Care LLC, Hospice The University Of Kansas Health System, Good Shepherd Hospice Of Mid America Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Paola?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,222 monthly median income of Paola households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Paola. 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 Kansas.

More near Paola

More senior care near Paola

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Paola

More for Paola 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 Paola, KS