Respite Care in Portsmouth, OH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Portsmouth, OH: the local picture

3,344

residents 65 or older (19% of Portsmouth)

58%

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

38%

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

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Portsmouth ZIP codes

Most older adults in Portsmouth live with someone: 58% 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 1,184 Portsmouth residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (46% in Scioto County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Portsmouth ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Portsmouth compared with Scioto County and Ohio

Census figure	Portsmouth	Scioto County	Ohio
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	46%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	36%	32%
Residents 65 or older	19%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	2.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	22%	15%	10%
Households with no vehicle	15%	7.9%	7.5%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$36,250	$38,225	—

Older residents in towns around Portsmouth

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West Portsmouth, OH	5.0 mi	606	58%
Wheelersburg, OH	5.7 mi	1,180	31%
Flatwoods, KY	20 mi	1,431	36%
Ironton, OH	21 mi	2,346	45%
Russell, KY	22 mi	684	41%
Westwood, KY	24 mi	990	35%

Hospices serving Portsmouth

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Somc Hospice	Portsmouth, OH	2.9 mi	(740) 356-2567
Heartland Hospice	Lucasville, OH	10 mi	(740) 682-0270
Community Hospice Of Southern Ohio	Ironton, OH	22 mi	(740) 532-8841
National Church Residences Home And Community Serv	Chillicothe, OH	41 mi	(614) 457-6950
Ahc Home Health Of Cincinnati LLC	Cincinnati, OH	90 mi	(513) 832-6900

Nursing homes near Portsmouth (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
River Run Healthcare Of Portsmouth	Portsmouth, OH	1.4 mi	5 of 5	25	(740) 354-6619
Hill View Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Cente	Portsmouth, OH	1.7 mi	3 of 5	72	(740) 354-3135
Bridgeport Health Care Center	Portsmouth, OH	2.0 mi	5 of 5	99	(740) 354-6635
South Shore Nursing And Rehabilitation	South Shore, KY	2.6 mi	4 of 5	60	(606) 932-3127

Straight-line miles from the center of Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $3,021 monthly median income of Portsmouth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 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 Portsmouth: common questions

Which hospices serve Portsmouth?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Portsmouth ZIP codes, including Somc Hospice, Heartland Hospice, Community Hospice Of Southern Ohio.

How much does respite care cost in Portsmouth?

At the Ohio median aide wage of $16.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,436 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $3,021 monthly median income of Portsmouth households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Portsmouth. 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 Ohio.

More near Portsmouth

More senior care near Portsmouth

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Portsmouth

More for Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, OH