Respite Care in Pocatello, ID: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Pocatello, ID: the local picture

7,946

residents 65 or older (14% of Pocatello)

66%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Bannock County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pocatello ZIP codes

Most older adults in Pocatello 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 2,956 Pocatello residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (37% in Bannock County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Pocatello ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Pocatello compared with Bannock County and Idaho

Census figure	Pocatello	Bannock County	Idaho
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	37%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	28%	24%
Residents 65 or older	14%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.6%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	5.8%	5.0%	3.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,890	$53,306	—

Older residents in towns around Pocatello

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Chubbuck, ID	3.8 mi	2,590	43%
Fort Hall, ID	9.8 mi	456	51%
Aberdeen, ID	20 mi	254	45%
American Falls, ID	21 mi	696	51%
Blackfoot, ID	23 mi	2,107	48%
Shelley, ID	39 mi	567	36%

Hospices serving Pocatello

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Encompass Hospice Of Eastern Idaho	Pocatello, ID	1.7 mi	(208) 637-1100
Symbii Hospice	Chubbuck, ID	4.4 mi	(208) 637-2273
Heritage Hospice	Pocatello, ID	4.4 mi	(208) 238-0088
Aspen Hospice	Idaho Falls, ID	47 mi	(208) 529-0800
Hands Of Hope Hospice	Idaho Falls, ID	47 mi	(208) 523-7441

Nursing homes near Pocatello (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Gateway Transitional Care Center	Pocatello, ID	1.7 mi	3 of 5	102	(208) 478-3333
Monte Vista Hills Healthcare Center	Pocatello, ID	2.2 mi	5 of 5	113	(208) 233-1411
Quinn Meadows Rehabilitation And Care Center	Pocatello, ID	2.3 mi	2 of 5	41	(208) 637-8888
Idaho State Veterans Home - Pocatello	Pocatello, ID	2.7 mi	5 of 5	66	(208) 235-7800

Straight-line miles from the center of Pocatello. 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 Pocatello

At the Idaho median aide wage of $16.72 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,449 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,158 monthly median income of Pocatello households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Idaho'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 Pocatello: common questions

Which hospices serve Pocatello?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Pocatello ZIP codes, including Encompass Hospice Of Eastern Idaho, Symbii Hospice, Heritage Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Pocatello?

At the Idaho median aide wage of $16.72 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,449 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,158 monthly median income of Pocatello households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Idaho'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 Pocatello. 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 Idaho.

More near Pocatello

More senior care near Pocatello

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Pocatello

More for Pocatello 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 Pocatello, ID