Respite Care in Searcy, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Searcy, AR: the local picture

3,936

residents 65 or older (17% of Searcy)

72%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in White County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Searcy ZIP codes

Most older adults in Searcy live with someone: 72% 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 1,401 Searcy residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (44% in White County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Searcy compared with White County and Arkansas

Census figure	Searcy	White County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	44%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.9%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.7%	5.5%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,799	$43,930	—

Older residents in towns around Searcy

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Bald Knob, AR	10 mi	400	54%
Beebe, AR	15 mi	1,118	35%
Ward, AR	20 mi	511	53%
Austin, AR	22 mi	278	31%
Heber Springs, AR	24 mi	1,764	39%
Cabot, AR	25 mi	3,706	35%

Hospices serving Searcy

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Searcy, AR	0.3 mi	(501) 279-2048
Arkansas Hospice Inc	Batesville, AR	38 mi	(501) 748-3333
Caring Hands Hospice, Inc	Batesville, AR	38 mi	(870) 698-0505
Gentiva	Batesville, AR	38 mi	(870) 376-5571
Arkansas Hospice Inc	North Little Rock, AR	41 mi	(501) 748-3333

Nursing homes near Searcy (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Springs Searcy	Searcy, AR	1.3 mi	2 of 5	245	(501) 268-6188
The Crossing At Riverside Health And Rehabilitatio	Searcy, AR	1.7 mi	5 of 5	138	(501) 268-2324
The Blossoms At Oakdale Rehab & Nursing Center	Judsonia, AR	4.4 mi	3 of 5	154	(501) 729-3823
Beebe Retirement Center, Inc.	Beebe, AR	15 mi	4 of 5	105	(501) 882-3313

Straight-line miles from the center of Searcy. 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 Searcy

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 28% of the $4,150 monthly median income of Searcy 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 Searcy: common questions

Which hospices serve Searcy?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Searcy ZIP codes, including Elite Hospice, Arkansas Hospice Inc, Caring Hands Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Searcy?

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 28% of the $4,150 monthly median income of Searcy 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 Searcy. 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 Searcy

More senior care near Searcy

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Searcy

More for Searcy 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 Searcy, AR