Respite Care in SeaTac, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in SeaTac, WA: the local picture

4,141

residents 65 or older (13% of SeaTac)

65%

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

48%

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

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve SeaTac ZIP codes

Most older adults in SeaTac live with someone: 65% 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 1,974 SeaTac residents aged 65 or older report a disability (48%) (30% in King County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving SeaTac ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

SeaTac compared with King County and Washington

Census figure	SeaTac	King County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	48%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	28%	26%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	9.3%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	11%	11%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,407	$76,893	—

Older residents in towns around SeaTac

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Normandy Park, WA	2.3 mi	1,423	24%
Tukwila, WA	2.5 mi	2,567	29%
Burien, WA	3.1 mi	8,213	36%
Des Moines, WA	3.9 mi	5,709	36%
Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA	4.5 mi	3,194	31%
Boulevard Park, WA	4.9 mi	519	13%

Hospices serving SeaTac

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Eden Hospice	Tukwila, WA	1.2 mi	(206) 717-8161
Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Puget Sound	Tukwila, WA	3.1 mi	(206) 320-4000
Continuum Care Of King LLC	Tukwila, WA	3.1 mi	(206) 752-1100
Heart And Soul Hospice	Renton, WA	4.1 mi	(206) 659-9998
Wesley Homes Hospice, LLC	Kent, WA	4.6 mi	(206) 870-1127

Nursing homes near SeaTac (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Wesley Homes Des Moines Health Center	Des Moines, WA	2.7 mi	5 of 5	148	(206) 824-3663
Puget Sound Transitional Care	Des Moines, WA	2.9 mi	2 of 5	165	(206) 824-0600
Avamere Rehabilitation Of Burien	Burien, WA	3.8 mi	2 of 5	140	(206) 242-3213
Judson Park Health Center	Des Moines, WA	3.9 mi	5 of 5	96	(206) 824-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of SeaTac. 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 SeaTac

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $4,784 monthly median income of SeaTac households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 SeaTac: common questions

Which hospices serve SeaTac?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for SeaTac ZIP codes, including Eden Hospice, Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Puget Sound, Continuum Care Of King LLC.

How much does respite care cost in SeaTac?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $4,784 monthly median income of SeaTac households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 SeaTac. 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 Washington.

More near SeaTac

More senior care near SeaTac

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in SeaTac

More for SeaTac 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 SeaTac, WA