Respite Care in Ralston, NE: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Ralston, NE: the local picture

1,048

residents 65 or older (16% of Ralston)

63%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Douglas County)

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ralston ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ralston live with someone: 63% 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 352 Ralston residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (30% in Douglas County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 17 hospices serving Ralston ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ralston compared with Douglas County and Nebraska

Census figure	Ralston	Douglas County	Nebraska
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	30%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	32%	31%
Residents 65 or older	16%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.4%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.6%	9.2%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	3.9%	6.8%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,443	$59,518	—

Older residents in towns around Ralston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
La Vista, NE	2.0 mi	1,995	33%
Omaha, NE	4.4 mi	70,865	30%
Papillion, NE	4.4 mi	4,162	31%
Chalco, NE	5.2 mi	1,085	33%
Bellevue, NE	6.4 mi	9,953	35%
Offutt AFB, NE	8.2 mi	98	41%

Hospices serving Ralston

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Aegis Hospice	Omaha, NE	1.3 mi	(402) 509-9979
Suncrest Hospice	Omaha, NE	2.4 mi	(402) 509-7655
Chi Health At Home - Omaha	Omaha, NE	2.4 mi	(402) 898-8000
Haven Hospice	Omaha, NE	4.0 mi	(402) 320-3939
Aseracare Hospice	Omaha, NE	4.0 mi	(402) 926-2680

Nursing homes near Ralston (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Omaha Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Omaha, NE	2.6 mi	1 of 5	70	(402) 733-7200
Emerald Nursing & Rehabilitation Mercy	Omaha, NE	2.7 mi	1 of 5	174	(402) 397-1220
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Omaha	Omaha, NE	2.7 mi	1 of 5	155	(402) 558-0225
Brookestone Of Papillion	Papillion, NE	3.4 mi	5 of 5	110	(402) 339-7700

Straight-line miles from the center of Ralston. 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 Ralston

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,537 monthly median income of Ralston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 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 Ralston: common questions

Which hospices serve Ralston?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for Ralston ZIP codes, including Aegis Hospice, Suncrest Hospice, Chi Health At Home - Omaha.

How much does respite care cost in Ralston?

At the Nebraska median aide wage of $17.38 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,506 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,537 monthly median income of Ralston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Nebraska'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 Ralston. 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 Nebraska.

More near Ralston

More senior care near Ralston

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ralston

More for Ralston 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 Ralston, NE