Respite Care in Sumter, SC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Sumter, SC: the local picture

7,590

residents 65 or older (18% of Sumter)

68%

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

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Sumter County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Sumter ZIP codes

Most older adults in Sumter live with someone: 68% 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 2,251 Sumter residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (30% in Sumter County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Sumter ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Sumter compared with Sumter County and South Carolina

Census figure	Sumter	Sumter County	South Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	30%	27%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	19%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.4%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	17%	11%
Households with no vehicle	11%	8.4%	5.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,155	$42,815	—

Older residents in towns around Sumter

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cherryvale, SC	3.7 mi	225	55%
Dalzell, SC	5.9 mi	203	37%
Lakewood, SC	7.8 mi	772	14%
Manning, SC	20 mi	1,556	45%
Bishopville, SC	21 mi	703	28%
East Camden, SC	25 mi	660	39%

Hospices serving Sumter

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Prisma Health Tuomey Hospice	Sumter, SC	4.1 mi	(803) 773-4663
Musc Health Hospice Kershaw	Lugoff, SC	27 mi	(803) 425-1916
Medical Services Of America Hospice-Columbia	Columbia, SC	37 mi	(803) 400-1177
United Hospice Of The Pee Dee	Florence, SC	39 mi	(843) 662-8633
Amedisys Hospice Of South Carolina	Florence, SC	39 mi	(803) 774-4036

Nursing homes near Sumter (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Nhc Healthcare - Sumter	Sumter, SC	1.0 mi	5 of 5	138	(803) 773-5567
Sumter East Health & Rehabilitation Center	Sumter, SC	2.5 mi	1 of 5	176	(803) 775-5394
Oak Hollow Of Sumter Rehabilitation Center	Sumter, SC	5.0 mi	1 of 5	96	(803) 340-0307
Pocotaligo River Health And Rehab	Manning, SC	16 mi	2 of 5	88	(803) 478-2323

Straight-line miles from the center of Sumter. 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 Sumter

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $3,513 monthly median income of Sumter households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Sumter: common questions

Which hospices serve Sumter?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Sumter ZIP codes, including Prisma Health Tuomey Hospice, Musc Health Hospice Kershaw, Medical Services Of America Hospice-Columbia.

How much does respite care cost in Sumter?

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $3,513 monthly median income of Sumter households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Sumter. 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 South Carolina.

More near Sumter

More senior care near Sumter

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Sumter

More for Sumter 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 Sumter, SC