Respite Care in Southside, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Southside, AR: the local picture

674

residents 65 or older (16% of Southside)

80%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Independence County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Southside ZIP codes

Most older adults in Southside 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 199 Southside residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (40% in Independence County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Southside ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Southside compared with Independence County and Arkansas

Census figure	Southside	Independence County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	40%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.1%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.5%	6.5%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,083	$45,653	—

Older residents in towns around Southside

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Batesville, AR	3.4 mi	1,802	54%
Newport, AR	23 mi	1,488	47%
Heber Springs, AR	27 mi	1,764	39%
Bald Knob, AR	28 mi	400	54%
Mountain View, AR	29 mi	939	51%
Searcy, AR	34 mi	3,936	38%

Hospices serving Southside

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Arkansas Hospice Inc	Batesville, AR	4.3 mi	(501) 748-3333
Caring Hands Hospice, Inc	Batesville, AR	4.3 mi	(870) 698-0505
Gentiva	Batesville, AR	4.3 mi	(870) 376-5571
Elite Hospice	Searcy, AR	33 mi	(501) 279-2048
Legacy Hospice Of North Arkansas	Salem, AR	47 mi	(870) 895-2651

Nursing homes near Southside (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mountain Meadows Health And Rehabilitation	Batesville, AR	0.7 mi	4 of 5	110	(870) 251-1112
Wood-Lawn Heights	Batesville, AR	3.6 mi	4 of 5	140	(870) 793-7195
The Springs Batesville	Batesville, AR	5.0 mi	3 of 5	150	(870) 698-1853
Cave City Nursing Home Inc	Cave City, AR	16 mi	5 of 5	90	(870) 283-5313

Straight-line miles from the center of Southside. 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 Southside

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,840 monthly median income of Southside households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Southside: common questions

Which hospices serve Southside?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Southside ZIP codes, including Arkansas Hospice Inc, Caring Hands Hospice, Inc, Gentiva.

How much does respite care cost in Southside?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $3,840 monthly median income of Southside households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Southside. 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 Arkansas.

More near Southside

More senior care near Southside

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Southside

More for Southside 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 Southside, AR