Respite Care in Punxsutawney, PA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Punxsutawney, PA: the local picture

1,540

residents 65 or older (27% of Punxsutawney)

55%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Jefferson County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Punxsutawney ZIP codes

Most older adults in Punxsutawney live with someone: 55% 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 498 Punxsutawney residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (29% in Jefferson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Punxsutawney ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Punxsutawney compared with Jefferson County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Punxsutawney	Jefferson County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	27%	22%	19%
Residents 85 or older	4.8%	2.8%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	13%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	13%	8.3%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,226	$42,065	—

Older residents in towns around Punxsutawney

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Brookville, PA	16 mi	929	29%
DuBois, PA	17 mi	1,391	35%
Treasure Lake, PA	20 mi	1,697	20%
Northern Cambria, PA	22 mi	580	34%
Indiana, PA	24 mi	1,306	39%
Clarion, PA	28 mi	399	33%

Hospices serving Punxsutawney

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna Family Hospice	Indiana, PA	24 mi	(724) 463-6340
Clarion Forest Vna Hospice	Clarion, PA	28 mi	(814) 297-8400
365 Hospice LLC	Carrolltown, PA	28 mi	(814) 419-4901
Penn Hospice, Inc	Ebensburg, PA	35 mi	(814) 846-4160
Penn Highlands Community Nurses	Saint Marys, PA	40 mi	(814) 781-1415

Nursing homes near Punxsutawney (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Aspen Nursing And Rehab Center	Punxsutawney, PA	0.2 mi	2 of 5	75	(814) 938-6020
Embassy Of Hillsdale Park	Hillsdale, PA	14 mi	2 of 5	74	(814) 743-6613
Dr Arthur Clifton Mckinley Ctr	Brookville, PA	16 mi	4 of 5	90	(814) 849-3615
Christ The King Manor	Dubois, PA	16 mi	4 of 5	160	(814) 371-3180

Straight-line miles from the center of Punxsutawney. 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 Punxsutawney

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $2,769 monthly median income of Punxsutawney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Punxsutawney: common questions

Which hospices serve Punxsutawney?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Punxsutawney ZIP codes, including Vna Family Hospice, Clarion Forest Vna Hospice, 365 Hospice LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Punxsutawney?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $2,769 monthly median income of Punxsutawney households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Punxsutawney. 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 Pennsylvania.

More near Punxsutawney

More senior care near Punxsutawney

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Punxsutawney

More for Punxsutawney 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 Punxsutawney, PA