Respite Care in Spanaway, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Spanaway, WA: the local picture

3,607

residents 65 or older (11% of Spanaway)

77%

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

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Spanaway ZIP codes

Most older adults in Spanaway live with someone: 77% 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 1,482 Spanaway residents aged 65 or older report a disability (41%) (36% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Spanaway ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Spanaway compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Spanaway	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	11%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.7%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	5.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,833	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Spanaway

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Frederickson, WA	2.9 mi	2,671	42%
Parkland, WA	3.1 mi	5,650	49%
Clover Creek, WA	3.7 mi	996	37%
McChord AFB, WA	4.0 mi	0	—
Summit View, WA	4.3 mi	842	30%
Elk Plain, WA	4.7 mi	2,052	47%

Hospices serving Spanaway

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County	Tacoma, WA	7.8 mi	(517) 256-0946
Puget Sound Hospice	Tacoma, WA	7.8 mi	(253) 581-9410
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	11 mi	(253) 534-7000
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	11 mi	(360) 350-4875
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	11 mi	(253) 301-6400

Nursing homes near Spanaway (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Tacoma Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Tacoma, WA	5.0 mi	5 of 5	150	(253) 581-2514
The Oaks At Lakewood	Tacoma, WA	5.3 mi	5 of 5	80	(253) 581-9002
Avalon Healthcare - Tacoma	Tacoma, WA	6.4 mi	2 of 5	81	(253) 474-8456
Heartwood Extended Healthcare	Tacoma, WA	6.5 mi	1 of 5	120	(253) 472-9027

Straight-line miles from the center of Spanaway. 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 Spanaway

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 31% of the $6,319 monthly median income of Spanaway 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 Spanaway: common questions

Which hospices serve Spanaway?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Spanaway ZIP codes, including Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County, Puget Sound Hospice, Franciscan Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Spanaway?

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 31% of the $6,319 monthly median income of Spanaway 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 Spanaway. 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 Spanaway

More senior care near Spanaway

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Spanaway

More for Spanaway 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 Spanaway, WA