Respite Care in St. Joseph, MO
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in St. Joseph for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in St. Joseph, MO: the local picture
Most older adults in St. Joseph 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 4,502 St. Joseph residents aged 65 or older report a disability (39%). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 12 hospices serving St. Joseph ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
St. Joseph compared with Missouri
| Census figure | St. Joseph | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 39% | 34% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 37% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.0% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 10% |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.5% | 6.6% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $46,922 | — |
Older residents in towns around St. Joseph
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Club, MO | 6.0 mi | 470 | 26% |
| Savannah, MO | 12 mi | 1,091 | 39% |
| Atchison, KS | 22 mi | 1,522 | 43% |
| Platte City, MO | 28 mi | 824 | 26% |
| Smithville, MO | 28 mi | 1,646 | 32% |
| Lathrop, MO | 30 mi | 338 | 59% |
Hospices serving St. Joseph
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic Life Care Hospice | Saint Joseph, MO | 0.4 mi | (816) 271-7190 |
| Freudenthal Hospice | Saint Joseph, MO | 2.2 mi | (816) 676-8050 |
| Aseracare Hospice | Savannah, MO | 11 mi | (816) 324-1250 |
| Harbor Hospice Of North Missouri, LP | Plattsburg, MO | 24 mi | (816) 601-1512 |
| Three Rivers Hospice | Platte City, MO | 28 mi | (816) 431-2333 |
Nursing homes near St. Joseph (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph Manor Health & Rehabilitation | Saint Joseph, MO | 1.6 mi | 2 of 5 | 110 | (816) 676-1630 |
| St Joseph Chateau | Saint Joseph, MO | 1.8 mi | 4 of 5 | 69 | (816) 233-5164 |
| Advanced Care Of St Joseph | Saint Joseph, MO | 2.4 mi | 1 of 5 | 180 | (816) 364-4200 |
| Carriage Square Rehab And Healthcare Center | Saint Joseph, MO | 2.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 130 | (816) 364-1526 |
Straight-line miles from the center of St. Joseph. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in St. Joseph
At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,910 monthly median income of St. Joseph households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.
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.
Respite Care in St. Joseph: common questions
Which hospices serve St. Joseph?
Medicare lists 12 hospices for St. Joseph ZIP codes, including Mosaic Life Care Hospice, Freudenthal Hospice, Aseracare Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in St. Joseph?
At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $3,910 monthly median income of St. Joseph households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 St. Joseph. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver covers Missouri.
More senior care near St. Joseph
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Country Club, MO
- Respite Care in Savannah, MO
- Respite Care in Atchison, KS
- Respite Care in Platte City, MO
- Respite Care in Smithville, MO
- Respite Care in Lathrop, MO
- Respite Care in Leavenworth, KS
- Respite Care in Cameron, MO
- Respite Care in Lansing, KS
- Respite Care in Kearney, MO
- Respite Care in Parkville, MO
- Respite Care in Hiawatha, KS
- Respite Care in Lawson, MO
- Respite Care in Gladstone, MO
- Respite Care in Maryville, MO
- Respite Care in Pleasant Valley, MO
Other care in St. Joseph
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.
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