Respite Care in Salina, KS: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Salina, KS: the local picture

8,567

residents 65 or older (19% of Salina)

66%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Salina ZIP codes

Most older adults in Salina live with someone: 66% 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 2,871 Salina residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Salina ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Salina compared with Kansas

Census figure	Salina	Kansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	7.9%	5.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,548	—

Older residents in towns around Salina

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lindsborg, KS	17 mi	775	28%
Abilene, KS	22 mi	1,520	31%
McPherson, KS	31 mi	2,315	27%
Ellsworth, KS	34 mi	537	34%
Hillsboro, KS	39 mi	471	35%
Junction City, KS	44 mi	2,164	41%

Hospices serving Salina

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Dickinson County	Abilene, KS	24 mi	(785) 263-6630
Community Care Hospice LLC	Mcpherson, KS	30 mi	(620) 654-6960
Meadowlark Hospice	Clay Center, KS	47 mi	(785) 632-2225
Solomon Valley Hospice	Beloit, KS	51 mi	(785) 738-9260
Golden Belt Hospice	Great Bend, KS	69 mi	(620) 792-8171

Nursing homes near Salina (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Legacy At Salina	Salina, KS	1.2 mi	1 of 5	45	(785) 825-6757
Kenwood View Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Salina, KS	1.5 mi	1 of 5	82	(785) 825-5471
Pinnacle Park Nursing & Rehab Center	Salina, KS	2.0 mi	5 of 5	60	(785) 825-6954
Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center	Salina, KS	2.2 mi	1 of 5	90	(785) 823-7107

Straight-line miles from the center of Salina. 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 Salina

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,046 monthly median income of Salina households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Salina: common questions

Which hospices serve Salina?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Salina ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Dickinson County, Community Care Hospice LLC, Meadowlark Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Salina?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,046 monthly median income of Salina households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas'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 Salina. 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 Kansas.

More near Salina

More senior care near Salina

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Salina

More for Salina 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 Salina, KS