Respite Care in Spencer, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Spencer, IA: the local picture

2,495

residents 65 or older (22% of Spencer)

63%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Clay County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Spencer ZIP codes

Most older adults in Spencer live with someone: 63% 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 689 Spencer residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (31% in Clay County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Spencer compared with Clay County and Iowa

Census figure	Spencer	Clay County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	34%	31%
Residents 65 or older	22%	22%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	3.3%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	8.3%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	7.2%	5.5%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,088	$50,774	—

Older residents in towns around Spencer

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Milford, IA	13 mi	802	23%
Spirit Lake, IA	19 mi	1,217	37%
Estherville, IA	24 mi	1,332	45%
Emmetsburg, IA	24 mi	934	38%
Jackson, MN	34 mi	714	49%
Cherokee, IA	34 mi	1,189	37%

Hospices serving Spencer

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Avera @ Home Of Spencer Hospital	Spencer, IA	0.4 mi	(712) 264-6380
St Croix Hospice	Spirit Lake, IA	19 mi	(712) 264-5674
Gentiva	Spirit Lake, IA	19 mi	(712) 336-2941
Cherokee Regional Hospice	Cherokee, IA	34 mi	(712) 225-6459
Care Initiatives Hospice - Sioux City	Sioux City, IA	77 mi	(712) 239-1226

Nursing homes near Spencer (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center	Spencer, IA	0.2 mi	1 of 5	82	(712) 262-2344
St Luke Lutheran Nursing Home	Spencer, IA	2.0 mi	2 of 5	79	(712) 262-5931
Accura Healthcare Of Milford	Milford, IA	13 mi	4 of 5	46	(712) 338-4742
Ruthven Community Care Center	Ruthven, IA	13 mi	4 of 5	46	(712) 837-5411

Straight-line miles from the center of Spencer. 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 Spencer

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,924 monthly median income of Spencer households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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.

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 Spencer: common questions

Which hospices serve Spencer?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Spencer ZIP codes, including Avera @ Home Of Spencer Hospital, St Croix Hospice, Gentiva.

How much does respite care cost in Spencer?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,924 monthly median income of Spencer households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Spencer. 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 Iowa.

More near Spencer

More senior care near Spencer

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Spencer

More for Spencer 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 Spencer, IA