Respite Care in Smiths Station, AL
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Smiths Station for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Smiths Station, AL: the local picture
Most older adults in Smiths Station 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 351 Smiths Station residents aged 65 or older report a disability (48%) (34% in Lee County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Smiths Station ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Smiths Station compared with Lee County and Alabama
| Census figure | Smiths Station | Lee County | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 48% | 34% | 38% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 20% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65 or older | 14% | 13% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.4% | 11% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $52,000 | $56,745 | — |
Older residents in towns around Smiths Station
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladonia, AL | 4.4 mi | 436 | 51% |
| Phenix City, AL | 6.2 mi | 4,957 | 46% |
| Columbus, GA | 13 mi | 30,092 | 37% |
| Opelika, AL | 19 mi | 6,049 | 29% |
| Valley, AL | 20 mi | 1,645 | 43% |
| Cusseta, GA | 22 mi | 397 | 34% |
Hospices serving Smiths Station
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Hospice Of Alabama | Phenix City, AL | 4.8 mi | (334) 664-0075 |
| Gentiva | Columbus, GA | 7.1 mi | (706) 653-0835 |
| Columbus Hospice, Inc. | Columbus, GA | 10 mi | (706) 569-7992 |
| Chattahoochee Hospice Inc | Valley, AL | 20 mi | (334) 756-8043 |
| Gentiva Phenix City | Auburn, AL | 22 mi | (334) 298-8898 |
Nursing homes near Smiths Station (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeway Health And Rehabilitation Center | Phenix City, AL | 4.2 mi | 3 of 5 | 86 | (334) 298-8247 |
| Parkwood Health Care Facility | Phenix City, AL | 5.2 mi | 5 of 5 | 74 | (334) 297-0237 |
| Spring Harbor At Green Island | Columbus, GA | 6.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 40 | (706) 576-6027 |
| Canterbury Health Care Facility | Phenix City, AL | 7.0 mi | 2 of 5 | 137 | (334) 291-0485 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Smiths Station. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Smiths Station
At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $4,333 monthly median income of Smiths Station households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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.
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.
Respite Care in Smiths Station: common questions
Which hospices serve Smiths Station?
Medicare lists 8 hospices for Smiths Station ZIP codes, including Columbus Hospice Of Alabama, Gentiva, Columbus Hospice, Inc..
How much does respite care cost in Smiths Station?
At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 27% of the $4,333 monthly median income of Smiths Station households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).
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 Smiths Station. 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 Alabama.
More senior care near Smiths Station
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Ladonia, AL
- Respite Care in Phenix City, AL
- Respite Care in Columbus, GA
- Respite Care in Opelika, AL
- Respite Care in Valley, AL
- Respite Care in Cusseta, GA
- Respite Care in Huguley, AL
- Respite Care in Auburn, AL
- Respite Care in Lanett, AL
- Respite Care in West Point, GA
- Respite Care in La Fayette, AL
- Respite Care in Tuskegee, AL
- Respite Care in LaGrange, GA
- Respite Care in Manchester, GA
- Respite Care in Eufaula, AL
- Respite Care in Dadeville, AL
Other care in Smiths Station
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.
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