Respite Care in Poplar Bluff, MO for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Poplar Bluff, MO: the local picture

3,268

residents 65 or older (20% of Poplar Bluff)

61%

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

51%

of residents 65+ report a disability (46% in Butler County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Poplar Bluff ZIP codes

Most older adults in Poplar Bluff live with someone: 61% 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 1,576 Poplar Bluff residents aged 65 or older report a disability (51%) (46% in Butler County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Poplar Bluff compared with Butler County and Missouri

Census figure	Poplar Bluff	Butler County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	51%	46%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	36%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	16%	10%
Households with no vehicle	14%	8.3%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$29,313	$36,708	—

Older residents in towns around Poplar Bluff

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dexter, MO	25 mi	1,646	55%
Malden, MO	26 mi	753	53%
Corning, AR	26 mi	758	26%
Piggott, AR	29 mi	664	48%
Piedmont, MO	31 mi	501	75%
Kennett, MO	41 mi	2,130	43%

Hospices serving Poplar Bluff

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Crown Hospice	Poplar Bluff, MO	0.3 mi	(573) 840-5029
Ozark Hospice	Poplar Bluff, MO	0.3 mi	(573) 686-5510
Elara Caring	Dexter, MO	25 mi	(573) 614-4000
Legacy Hospice, LLC	Kennett, MO	41 mi	(573) 888-4946
Vna Hospice	Kennett, MO	41 mi	(573) 888-5892

Nursing homes near Poplar Bluff (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Cedargate Health Care Center	Poplar Bluff, MO	0.8 mi	2 of 5	108	(573) 785-0188
Manor, The	Poplar Bluff, MO	1.7 mi	3 of 5	90	(573) 686-1147
Aspire Senior Living Poplar Bluff	Poplar Bluff, MO	1.8 mi	2 of 5	83	(573) 686-6999
Oakdale Care Center	Poplar Bluff, MO	1.9 mi	3 of 5	70	(573) 686-5242

Straight-line miles from the center of Poplar Bluff. 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 Poplar Bluff

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $2,443 monthly median income of Poplar Bluff households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

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 Poplar Bluff: common questions

Which hospices serve Poplar Bluff?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Poplar Bluff ZIP codes, including Crown Hospice, Ozark Hospice, Elara Caring.

How much does respite care cost in Poplar Bluff?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $2,443 monthly median income of Poplar Bluff households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Poplar Bluff. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver covers Missouri.

More near Poplar Bluff

More senior care near Poplar Bluff

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Poplar Bluff

More for Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff, MO