Respite Care in Smithton, IL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Smithton, IL: the local picture

984

residents 65 or older (27% of Smithton)

79%

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

18%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in St. Clair County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Smithton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Smithton live with someone: 79% 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 171 Smithton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (18%) (33% in St. Clair County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Smithton compared with St. Clair County and Illinois

Census figure	Smithton	St. Clair County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with a disability	18%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	27%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.1%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.0%	10%	10%
Households with no vehicle	1.3%	7.5%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,212	$54,949	—

Older residents in towns around Smithton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Freeburg, IL	4.3 mi	934	30%
Millstadt, IL	6.0 mi	1,072	39%
Belleville, IL	7.0 mi	6,768	31%
Swansea, IL	9.5 mi	2,699	33%
Waterloo, IL	10 mi	2,293	34%
Shiloh, IL	10 mi	2,294	36%

Hospices serving Smithton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc	Belleville, IL	6.8 mi	(618) 235-1703
Family Hospice Of Belleville Area	Belleville, IL	8.4 mi	(618) 277-1800
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest	Fairview Heights, IL	13 mi	(618) 622-9073
Heartland Hospice (Fairview Heights)	Fairview Heights, IL	13 mi	(618) 632-0304
Unity Hospice Of Greater St Louis	Collinsville, IL	19 mi	(618) 346-1111

Nursing homes near Smithton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
La Bella Of Freeburg	Freeburg, IL	5.4 mi	1 of 5	118	(618) 539-5856
Helia Southbelt Healthcare	Belleville, IL	6.1 mi	1 of 5	156	(618) 277-7700
St Paul's Senior Community	Belleville, IL	7.3 mi	1 of 5	108	(618) 233-2095
Nexus Pavilion At Belleville	Belleville, IL	7.6 mi	1 of 5	180	(618) 234-3323

Straight-line miles from the center of Smithton. 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 Smithton

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,768 monthly median income of Smithton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Smithton: common questions

Which hospices serve Smithton?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Smithton ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Southern Illinois, Inc, Family Hospice Of Belleville Area, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Midwest.

How much does respite care cost in Smithton?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,768 monthly median income of Smithton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Smithton. 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 Illinois.

More near Smithton

More senior care near Smithton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Smithton

More for Smithton 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 Smithton, IL