Respite Care in Seattle, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Seattle, WA: the local picture

98,196

residents 65 or older (13% of Seattle)

66%

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

30%

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

27

Medicare-certified hospices serve Seattle ZIP codes

Most older adults in Seattle 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 28,258 Seattle residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (30% in King County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 27 hospices serving Seattle ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Seattle compared with King County and Washington

Census figure	Seattle	King County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	28%	26%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.3%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	19%	11%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$73,299	$76,893	—

Older residents in towns around Seattle

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Medina, WA	5.1 mi	545	26%
Clyde Hill, WA	6.3 mi	715	21%
Mercer Island, WA	6.8 mi	5,610	28%
Bainbridge Island, WA	7.4 mi	6,744	19%
Boulevard Park, WA	7.5 mi	519	13%
White Center, WA	7.6 mi	1,939	33%

Hospices serving Seattle

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Kaiser Permanente Washington Hospice	Seattle, WA	2.6 mi	(206) 326-4545
Gentiva	Tukwila, WA	5.2 mi	(206) 525-1090
Kline Galland Hospice Services	Seattle, WA	5.7 mi	(206) 805-1930
Continuum Care Of King LLC	Tukwila, WA	9.3 mi	(206) 752-1100
Providence At Home With Compassus Hospice Care, Puget Sound	Tukwila, WA	9.3 mi	(206) 320-4000

Nursing homes near Seattle (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mirabella	Seattle, WA	1.0 mi	5 of 5	46	(206) 254-1400
The Terraces At Skyline	Seattle, WA	1.3 mi	2 of 5	34	(206) 407-1700
Queen Anne Healthcare	Seattle, WA	1.7 mi	5 of 5	120	(206) 284-7012
Seattle Medical Post Acute Care	Seattle, WA	2.1 mi	2 of 5	103	(206) 324-8200

Straight-line miles from the center of Seattle. 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 Seattle

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 33% of the $6,108 monthly median income of Seattle 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 Seattle: common questions

Which hospices serve Seattle?

Medicare lists 27 hospices for Seattle ZIP codes, including Kaiser Permanente Washington Hospice, Gentiva, Kline Galland Hospice Services.

How much does respite care cost in Seattle?

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 33% of the $6,108 monthly median income of Seattle 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle

More senior care near Seattle

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Seattle

More for Seattle 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 Seattle, WA