Respite Care in Sparta, WI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Sparta, WI: the local picture

1,636

residents 65 or older (16% of Sparta)

61%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Monroe County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Sparta ZIP codes

Most older adults in Sparta live with someone: 61% 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 411 Sparta residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (32% in Monroe County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Sparta compared with Monroe County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Sparta	Monroe County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	32%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	32%	30%
Residents 65 or older	16%	18%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	2.2%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	11%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	11%	8.3%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$36,509	$49,811	—

Older residents in towns around Sparta

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West Salem, WI	14 mi	975	29%
Tomah, WI	16 mi	1,987	47%
Onalaska, WI	20 mi	3,955	36%
La Crosse, WI	22 mi	8,794	34%
Holmen, WI	23 mi	1,556	39%
French Island, WI	23 mi	898	29%

Hospices serving Sparta

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Touch	Tomah, WI	17 mi	(608) 374-0250
St Croix Hospice La Crosse	La Crosse, WI	22 mi	(608) 405-7592
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center	La Crosse, WI	22 mi	(608) 775-8435
St Croix Hospice Baraboo	Baraboo, WI	62 mi	(608) 448-4200
Interim Healthcare Hospice Of Western Wisconsin	Eau Claire, WI	67 mi	(715) 377-9617

Nursing homes near Sparta (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Morrow Memorial Home	Sparta, WI	0.3 mi	5 of 5	78	(608) 269-3168
Rolling Hills Rehab Ctr	Sparta, WI	0.7 mi	3 of 5	50	(608) 269-8800
Lakeview Health Center	West Salem, WI	13 mi	5 of 5	50	(608) 786-1400
Mulder Health Care Facility	West Salem, WI	14 mi	1 of 5	87	(608) 786-1600

Straight-line miles from the center of Sparta. 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 Sparta

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,042 monthly median income of Sparta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Sparta: common questions

Which hospices serve Sparta?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Sparta ZIP codes, including Hospice Touch, St Croix Hospice La Crosse, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

How much does respite care cost in Sparta?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,042 monthly median income of Sparta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 Sparta. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near Sparta

More senior care near Sparta

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Sparta

More for Sparta 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 Sparta, WI