Respite Care in Salem, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Salem, AR: the local picture

759

residents 65 or older (29% of Salem)

80%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Hot Spring County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Salem ZIP codes

Most older adults in Salem live with someone: 80% 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 235 Salem residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (40% in Hot Spring County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Salem ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Salem compared with Hot Spring County and Arkansas

Census figure	Salem	Hot Spring County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	40%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	25%	29%
Residents 65 or older	29%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.4%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.2%	14%	12%
Households with no vehicle	4.9%	5.3%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,944	$42,129	—

Older residents in towns around Salem

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Benton, AR	3.7 mi	5,892	42%
Bryant, AR	4.1 mi	2,894	38%
Alexander, AR	6.3 mi	299	31%
Shannon Hills, AR	9.1 mi	719	55%
Haskell, AR	9.6 mi	537	39%
Little Rock, AR	13 mi	31,836	34%

Hospices serving Salem

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Arkansas Hospice Inc	Batesville, AR	95 mi	(501) 748-3333
Hospice Of The Ozarks	Mountain Home, AR	118 mi	(870) 508-1771
Elite Hospice	Mountain Home, AR	118 mi	(870) 424-4000
Legacy Hospice Of North Arkansas	Salem, AR	127 mi	(870) 895-2651

Nursing homes near Salem (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Amberwood Health And Rehabilitation	Benton, AR	2.9 mi	5 of 5	101	(501) 778-5401
Alcoa Pines Health And Rehabilitation	Benton, AR	3.9 mi	3 of 5	120	(501) 315-1700
Southern Trace Rehabilitation And Care Center	Bryant, AR	4.2 mi	3 of 5	116	(501) 847-0777
Heartland Rehabilitation And Care Center	Benton, AR	4.5 mi	5 of 5	140	(501) 778-8200

Straight-line miles from the center of Salem. 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 Salem

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,829 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Salem: common questions

Which hospices serve Salem?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Salem ZIP codes, including Arkansas Hospice Inc, Hospice Of The Ozarks, Elite Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Salem?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,829 monthly median income of Salem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Salem. 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 Arkansas.

More near Salem

More senior care near Salem

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Salem

More for Salem 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 Salem, AR