Respite Care in Pelican Rapids, MN for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Pelican Rapids, MN: the local picture

444

residents 65 or older (17% of Pelican Rapids)

66%

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

26%

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

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pelican Rapids ZIP codes

Most older adults in Pelican Rapids 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 101 Pelican Rapids residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (28% in Otter Tail County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Pelican Rapids compared with Otter Tail County and Minnesota

Census figure	Pelican Rapids	Otter Tail County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	28%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	26%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	25%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.2%	3.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	28%	8.4%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	12%	5.6%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$20,484	$53,778	—

Older residents in towns around Pelican Rapids

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Barnesville, MN	17 mi	359	37%
Fergus Falls, MN	20 mi	3,663	40%
Detroit Lakes, MN	20 mi	2,539	36%
Perham, MN	24 mi	872	47%
Breckenridge, MN	32 mi	667	30%
Wahpeton, ND	32 mi	1,557	29%

Hospices serving Pelican Rapids

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Ethos Hospice	Fargo, ND	39 mi	(701) 356-3803
Hia Hospice	Fargo, ND	39 mi	(701) 356-1500
Sanford Fargo Hospice	Fargo, ND	43 mi	(701) 234-7550
Vivie Hospice	Alexandria, MN	58 mi	(320) 759-1275

Nursing homes near Pelican Rapids (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pelican Valley Health Center	Pelican Rapids, MN	0.5 mi	5 of 5	28	(218) 863-2991
Valley Care And Rehab LLC	Barnesville, MN	16 mi	5 of 5	35	(218) 354-2254
MN Veterans Home-Fergus Falls	Fergus Falls, MN	19 mi	4 of 5	85	(218) 736-0400
Emmanuel Nursing Home	Detroit Lakes, MN	20 mi	3 of 5	57	(218) 847-4486

Straight-line miles from the center of Pelican Rapids. 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 Pelican Rapids

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 94% of the $1,707 monthly median income of Pelican Rapids households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Pelican Rapids: common questions

Which hospices serve Pelican Rapids?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Pelican Rapids ZIP codes, including Ethos Hospice, Hia Hospice, Sanford Fargo Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Pelican Rapids?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 94% of the $1,707 monthly median income of Pelican Rapids households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Pelican Rapids. 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 Minnesota.

More near Pelican Rapids

More senior care near Pelican Rapids

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Pelican Rapids

More for Pelican Rapids 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 Pelican Rapids, MN