Respite Care in Princeton, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Princeton, MN: the local picture

1,286

residents 65 or older (24% of Princeton)

68%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Mille Lacs County)

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Princeton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Princeton live with someone: 68% 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 392 Princeton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (35% in Mille Lacs County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Princeton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Princeton compared with Mille Lacs County and Minnesota

Census figure	Princeton	Mille Lacs County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	35%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	24%	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.3%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	9.6%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	2.0%	5.5%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,939	$48,972	—

Older residents in towns around Princeton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Zimmerman, MN	8.8 mi	424	16%
Milaca, MN	13 mi	686	43%
St. Francis, MN	15 mi	922	31%
Elk River, MN	16 mi	3,663	36%
Foley, MN	17 mi	392	47%
Nowthen, MN	17 mi	576	22%

Hospices serving Princeton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Triniti Hospice	Elk River, MN	18 mi	(763) 241-0654
Moments Hospice	Saint Cloud, MN	29 mi	(320) 372-4300
St Croix Hospice	St. Cloud, MN	29 mi	(320) 201-5930
Centracare Hospice	Waite Park, MN	31 mi	(320) 259-9375
Mille Lacs Health System Hospice	Onamia, MN	36 mi	(320) 532-2800

Nursing homes near Princeton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Elim Wellspring Health Care Center	Princeton, MN	0.4 mi	5 of 5	86	(763) 389-0410
Milaca Elim Meadows Health Care Center	Milaca, MN	13 mi	5 of 5	70	(320) 983-2185
Gracepointe Crossing Gables	Cambridge, MN	17 mi	5 of 5	110	(763) 689-1474
The Gardens At Foley LLC	Foley, MN	17 mi	2 of 5	78	(320) 968-6201

Straight-line miles from the center of Princeton. 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 Princeton

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 40% of the $3,995 monthly median income of Princeton 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 Princeton: common questions

Which hospices serve Princeton?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Princeton ZIP codes, including Triniti Hospice, Moments Hospice, St Croix Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Princeton?

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 40% of the $3,995 monthly median income of Princeton 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 Princeton. 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 Princeton

More senior care near Princeton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Princeton

More for Princeton 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 Princeton, MN