Respite Care in Southern Shores, NC
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 Southern Shores for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Southern Shores, NC: the local picture
Most older adults in Southern Shores live with someone: 81% 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 347 Southern Shores residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (26% in Dare County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Southern Shores ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Southern Shores compared with Dare County and North Carolina
| Census figure | Southern Shores | Dare County | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 35% | 26% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 19% | 29% | 28% |
| Residents 65 or older | 32% | 25% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 2.0% | 1.7% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 0.0% | 5.9% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.6% | 2.7% | 5.3% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $116,786 | $70,567 | — |
Older residents in towns around Southern Shores
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitty Hawk, NC | 3.3 mi | 744 | 24% |
| Kill Devil Hills, NC | 7.7 mi | 1,471 | 28% |
| Nags Head, NC | 13 mi | 1,264 | 14% |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 31 mi | 3,507 | 36% |
| Moyock, NC | 36 mi | 717 | 38% |
| Edenton, NC | 49 mi | 1,254 | 25% |
Hospices serving Southern Shores
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoration Home Health And Hospice | Nags Head, NC | 18 mi | (252) 263-5800 |
| Albemarle Home Care And Hospice | Elizabeth City, NC | 31 mi | (252) 338-4066 |
| Amedisys Hospice Care | Plymouth, NC | 59 mi | (252) 791-0490 |
| Community Hospice LLC | New Bern, NC | 104 mi | (252) 672-8301 |
Nursing homes near Southern Shores (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Resources-Outer Banks | Nags Head, NC | 11 mi | 3 of 5 | 126 | (252) 441-3116 |
| Currituck Health & Rehab Center | Barco, NC | 23 mi | 1 of 5 | 100 | (252) 457-0500 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Southern Shores. 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 Southern Shores
At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 13% of the $9,732 monthly median income of Southern Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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.
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 Southern Shores: common questions
Which hospices serve Southern Shores?
Medicare lists 4 hospices for Southern Shores ZIP codes, including Adoration Home Health And Hospice, Albemarle Home Care And Hospice, Amedisys Hospice Care.
How much does respite care cost in Southern Shores?
At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 13% of the $9,732 monthly median income of Southern Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Southern Shores. 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 North Carolina.
More senior care near Southern Shores
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Kitty Hawk, NC
- Respite Care in Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Respite Care in Nags Head, NC
- Respite Care in Elizabeth City, NC
- Respite Care in Moyock, NC
- Respite Care in Edenton, NC
- Respite Care in Virginia Beach, VA
- Respite Care in Chesapeake, VA
- Respite Care in Plymouth, NC
- Respite Care in Portsmouth, VA
- Respite Care in Norfolk, VA
- Respite Care in Suffolk, VA
- Respite Care in Windsor, NC
Other care in Southern Shores
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.
Find respite care in Southern Shores
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