Respite Care in River Falls, WI for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in River Falls, WI: the local picture

1,941

residents 65 or older (12% of River Falls)

62%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (23% in Pierce County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve River Falls ZIP codes

Most older adults in River Falls live with someone: 62% 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 580 River Falls residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (23% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

River Falls compared with Pierce County and Wisconsin

Census figure	River Falls	Pierce County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	23%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	24%	30%
Residents 65 or older	12%	17%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.4%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.0%	6.0%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	5.0%	2.7%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,369	$66,546	—

Older residents in towns around River Falls

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hudson, WI	8.8 mi	2,918	33%
Afton, MN	9.8 mi	772	20%
Prescott, WI	11 mi	884	14%
Ellsworth, WI	11 mi	354	55%
North Hudson, WI	11 mi	686	21%
Bayport, MN	13 mi	497	25%

Hospices serving River Falls

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St Croix Hospice Hudson	Hudson, WI	9.9 mi	(534) 200-4502
Adoray Home Health And Hospice	Baldwin, WI	15 mi	(715) 629-1888
Lakeview Hospice	Oak Park Heights, MN	18 mi	(651) 430-3320
St Croix Hospice	Oakdale, MN	18 mi	(651) 735-3656
Presbyterian Homes Hospice Inc	Roseville, MN	28 mi	(651) 631-6406

Nursing homes near River Falls (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Kinnic Health And Rehabilitation Center	River Falls, WI	1.0 mi	2 of 5	68	(715) 426-6000
Christian Community Home	Hudson, WI	9.6 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 386-9303
Prescott Nursing And Rehab Community	Prescott, WI	10 mi	3 of 5	65	(715) 262-5661
Ellsworth Health Services	Ellsworth, WI	11 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 273-5821

Straight-line miles from the center of River Falls. 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 River Falls

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,031 monthly median income of River Falls households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 River Falls: common questions

Which hospices serve River Falls?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for River Falls ZIP codes, including St Croix Hospice Hudson, Adoray Home Health And Hospice, Lakeview Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in River Falls?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,031 monthly median income of River Falls households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 River Falls. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near River Falls

More senior care near River Falls

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in River Falls

More for River Falls 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 River Falls, WI