Respite Care in St. Marys, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in St. Marys, PA: the local picture

3,353

residents 65 or older (27% of St. Marys)

70%

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

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Elk County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve St. Marys ZIP codes

Most older adults in St. Marys live with someone: 70% 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 776 St. Marys residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (29% in Elk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving St. Marys ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

St. Marys compared with Elk County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	St. Marys	Elk County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	27%	24%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.9%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.7%	6.0%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	8.7%	6.3%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,257	$47,629	—

Older residents in towns around St. Marys

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Ridgway, PA	11 mi	768	30%
Kane, PA	21 mi	783	42%
Treasure Lake, PA	22 mi	1,697	20%
DuBois, PA	26 mi	1,391	35%
Clearfield, PA	30 mi	1,105	43%
Marienville, PA	31 mi	391	43%

Hospices serving St. Marys

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Penn Highlands Community Nurses	Saint Marys, PA	2.4 mi	(814) 781-1415
365 Hospice LLC	State College, PA	58 mi	(814) 946-5017
Three Rivers Hospice	Monroeville, PA	96 mi	(412) 349-0760

Nursing homes near St. Marys (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pinecrest Manor	St Marys, PA	3.5 mi	4 of 5	138	(814) 788-8488
Elk Haven Nursing Home	Saint Marys, PA	3.5 mi	5 of 5	120	(814) 234-2618
Guy And Mary Felt Manor, Inc	Emporium, PA	15 mi	4 of 5	30	(814) 486-3736
Lutheran Home At Kane, The	Kane, PA	20 mi	5 of 5	90	(814) 837-6707

Straight-line miles from the center of St. Marys. 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 St. Marys

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,355 monthly median income of St. Marys households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 St. Marys: common questions

Which hospices serve St. Marys?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for St. Marys ZIP codes, including Penn Highlands Community Nurses, 365 Hospice LLC, Three Rivers Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in St. Marys?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,355 monthly median income of St. Marys households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 St. Marys. 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 Pennsylvania.

More near St. Marys

More senior care near St. Marys

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in St. Marys

More for St. Marys 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 St. Marys, PA