Respite Care in Steilacoom, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Steilacoom, WA: the local picture

1,270

residents 65 or older (19% of Steilacoom)

76%

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

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Steilacoom ZIP codes

Most older adults in Steilacoom live with someone: 76% 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 410 Steilacoom residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (36% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Steilacoom ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Steilacoom compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Steilacoom	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	19%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.1%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	2.9%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$101,827	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Steilacoom

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lakewood, WA	3.0 mi	10,825	45%
North Fort Lewis, WA	3.3 mi	0	—
University Place, WA	3.8 mi	6,796	32%
DuPont, WA	5.0 mi	1,027	39%
Fort Lewis, WA	5.2 mi	26	100%
McChord AFB, WA	5.4 mi	0	—

Hospices serving Steilacoom

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	4.8 mi	(253) 534-7000
Puget Sound Hospice	Tacoma, WA	5.7 mi	(253) 581-9410
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	8.1 mi	(360) 350-4875
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	9.2 mi	(253) 301-6400
Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South	Lacey, WA	14 mi	(206) 459-8311

Nursing homes near Steilacoom (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Agility Health And Rehabilitation	University Place, WA	3.9 mi	3 of 5	120	(253) 566-7166
The Oaks At Lakewood	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	5 of 5	80	(253) 581-9002
Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation	Tacoma, WA	5.0 mi	1 of 5	124	(253) 474-8421
Orchard Park Health Care & Rehab Center	Tacoma, WA	5.3 mi	1 of 5	147	(253) 475-4611

Straight-line miles from the center of Steilacoom. 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 Steilacoom

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 23% of the $8,486 monthly median income of Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom: common questions

Which hospices serve Steilacoom?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Steilacoom ZIP codes, including Franciscan Hospice, Puget Sound Hospice, Envision Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Steilacoom?

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 23% of the $8,486 monthly median income of Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom. 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 Steilacoom

More senior care near Steilacoom

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Steilacoom

More for Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom, WA