Respite Care in Sullivan, MO: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Sullivan, MO: the local picture

1,280

residents 65 or older (20% of Sullivan)

59%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Franklin County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Sullivan ZIP codes

Most older adults in Sullivan live with someone: 59% 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 419 Sullivan residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (34% in Franklin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Sullivan ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Sullivan compared with Franklin County and Missouri

Census figure	Sullivan	Franklin County	Missouri
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	20%	19%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.1%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	7.6%	10%
Households with no vehicle	3.1%	3.8%	6.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,474	$51,567	—

Older residents in towns around Sullivan

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
St. Clair, MO	13 mi	776	57%
Cuba, MO	17 mi	540	54%
Union, MO	18 mi	1,585	35%
Owensville, MO	20 mi	552	36%
Villa Ridge, MO	23 mi	469	42%
Washington, MO	25 mi	3,040	31%

Hospices serving Sullivan

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Phelps Health Home Health And Hospice	Rolla, MO	37 mi	(573) 364-2425
Alternative Hospice, LLC	Fenton, MO	43 mi	(636) 343-3839
Preferred Hospice Of Missouri (Northeast)	Ballwin, MO	43 mi	(636) 527-9330
Solace Hospice Care, LLC	O'fallon, MO	44 mi	(636) 220-4050
Mercy Hospice	Saint Louis, MO	48 mi	(314) 729-4400

Nursing homes near Sullivan (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Life Care Center Of Sullivan	Sullivan, MO	1.0 mi	4 of 5	120	(573) 468-3128
Meramec Nursing	Sullivan, MO	1.3 mi	1 of 5	60	(573) 468-7733
St Clair Nursing Center	Saint Clair, MO	14 mi	5 of 5	79	(636) 629-2100
Cuba Manor Inc	Cuba, MO	16 mi	4 of 5	90	(573) 885-4500

Straight-line miles from the center of Sullivan. 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 Sullivan

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 40% of the $3,456 monthly median income of Sullivan 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.

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 Sullivan: common questions

Which hospices serve Sullivan?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Sullivan ZIP codes, including Phelps Health Home Health And Hospice, Alternative Hospice, LLC, Preferred Hospice Of Missouri (Northeast).

How much does respite care cost in Sullivan?

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 40% of the $3,456 monthly median income of Sullivan 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 Sullivan. 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 near Sullivan

More senior care near Sullivan

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Sullivan

More for Sullivan 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 Sullivan, MO