Respite Care in Spokane, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Spokane, WA: the local picture

38,258

residents 65 or older (17% of Spokane)

62%

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

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Spokane County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Spokane ZIP codes

Most older adults in Spokane live with someone: 62% 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 13,746 Spokane residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (35% in Spokane County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Spokane compared with Spokane County and Washington

Census figure	Spokane	Spokane County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	35%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	29%	26%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	2.0%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	9.9%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	9.5%	6.8%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,742	$57,920	—

Older residents in towns around Spokane

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Town and Country, WA	4.2 mi	1,034	26%
Country Homes, WA	5.6 mi	866	42%
Airway Heights, WA	6.9 mi	1,041	46%
Mead, WA	8.7 mi	1,227	35%
Spokane Valley, WA	9.3 mi	18,679	39%
Fairchild AFB, WA	11 mi	0	—

Hospices serving Spokane

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Spokane	Spokane, WA	2.6 mi	(509) 456-0438
Horizon Hospice	Spokane, WA	6.2 mi	(509) 489-4581
Gentiva	Liberty Lake, WA	16 mi	(509) 789-4377
Eden Hospice At The Inland Northwest LLC	Ponderay, ID	61 mi	(208) 946-6873
Assured Hospice	Moses Lake, WA	94 mi	(509) 766-2580

Nursing homes near Spokane (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Spokane Veterans Home	Spokane, WA	1.5 mi	5 of 5	100	(509) 344-5770
Rockwood South Hill	Spokane, WA	1.6 mi	2 of 5	45	(509) 536-6650
South Hill Rehabilitation And Care Center	Spokane, WA	1.7 mi	5 of 5	113	(509) 474-5678
Emerson Health & Rehabilitation	Spokane, WA	2.0 mi	4 of 5	99	(509) 328-6030

Straight-line miles from the center of Spokane. 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 Spokane

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 46% of the $4,312 monthly median income of Spokane 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 Spokane: common questions

Which hospices serve Spokane?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Spokane ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Spokane, Horizon Hospice, Gentiva.

How much does respite care cost in Spokane?

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 46% of the $4,312 monthly median income of Spokane 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 Spokane. 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 Spokane

More senior care near Spokane

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Spokane

More for Spokane 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 Spokane, WA