Respite Care in Poteau, OK: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Poteau, OK: the local picture

1,451

residents 65 or older (16% of Poteau)

60%

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

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (45% in Le Flore County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Poteau ZIP codes

Most older adults in Poteau live with someone: 60% 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 581 Poteau residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (45% in Le Flore County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Poteau compared with Le Flore County and Oklahoma

Census figure	Poteau	Le Flore County	Oklahoma
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	45%	41%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	30%	30%
Residents 65 or older	16%	18%	16%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.4%	1.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	13%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.3%	6.3%	5.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,552	$41,884	—

Older residents in towns around Poteau

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Heavener, OK	12 mi	426	44%
Pocola, OK	15 mi	924	46%
Greenwood, AR	23 mi	1,906	48%
Muldrow, OK	23 mi	509	53%
Fort Smith, AR	24 mi	14,381	43%
Roland, OK	25 mi	411	58%

Hospices serving Poteau

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Poteau, OK	0.4 mi	(918) 647-7008
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Fort Smith, AR	23 mi	(479) 494-0100
Mercy Hospice	Fort Smith, AR	23 mi	(479) 314-1150
Cura-Hpc Eastok, LLC	Sallisaw, OK	30 mi	(918) 571-9920
Elara Caring Xi	Sallisaw, OK	30 mi	(918) 775-9500

Nursing homes near Poteau (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Oaks Healthcare Center	Poteau, OK	1.5 mi	1 of 5	158	(918) 647-8236
Spiro Nursing Home, Inc.	Spiro, OK	12 mi	4 of 5	95	(918) 962-2308
Heavener Nursing & Rehab	Heavener, OK	12 mi	1 of 5	84	(918) 653-2464
Pocola Health And Rehab	Pocola, OK	16 mi	1 of 5	90	(918) 436-2228

Straight-line miles from the center of Poteau. 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 Poteau

At the Oklahoma median aide wage of $13.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,154 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,546 monthly median income of Poteau households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oklahoma'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 Poteau: common questions

Which hospices serve Poteau?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Poteau ZIP codes, including Heart Of Hospice, LLC, Heart Of Hospice, LLC, Mercy Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Poteau?

At the Oklahoma median aide wage of $13.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,154 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,546 monthly median income of Poteau households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oklahoma'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 Poteau. 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 Oklahoma.

More near Poteau

More senior care near Poteau

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Poteau

More for Poteau 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 Poteau, OK