Respite Care in Sunset Beach, NC for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Sunset Beach, NC: the local picture

2,599

residents 65 or older (60% of Sunset Beach)

73%

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

24%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Brunswick County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Sunset Beach ZIP codes

Most older adults in Sunset Beach live with someone: 73% 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 622 Sunset Beach residents aged 65 or older report a disability (24%) (24% in Brunswick County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Sunset Beach ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Sunset Beach compared with Brunswick County and North Carolina

Census figure	Sunset Beach	Brunswick County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	24%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	20%	28%
Residents 65 or older	60%	34%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	2.0%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.6%	5.7%	11%
Households with no vehicle	1.1%	2.4%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$71,086	$69,925	—

Older residents in towns around Sunset Beach

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Carolina Shores, NC	3.9 mi	2,554	30%
Little River, SC	7.7 mi	4,972	31%
Shallotte, NC	9.4 mi	1,100	28%
North Myrtle Beach, SC	12 mi	8,266	28%
Oak Island, NC	22 mi	3,796	19%
St. James, NC	24 mi	4,439	13%

Hospices serving Sunset Beach

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare	Myrtle Beach, SC	19 mi	(843) 848-6480
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare	Wilmington, NC	40 mi	(910) 796-7900
Liberty Home Care And Hospice	Wilmington, NC	42 mi	(910) 251-8111
Amedisys Hospice Care	Pembroke, NC	67 mi	(855) 809-0997
Mcleod Hcs - Hospice Of The Pee Dee	Florence, SC	75 mi	(843) 777-2564

Nursing homes near Sunset Beach (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Autumn Care Of Shallotte	Shallotte, NC	9.0 mi	2 of 5	100	(910) 754-8858
Brunswick Health & Rehab Center	Ash, NC	11 mi	1 of 5	100	(910) 287-6007
Bolivia Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Bolivia, NC	18 mi	1 of 5	90	(910) 755-5955
Myrtle Beach Manor	Myrtle Beach, SC	19 mi	3 of 5	60	(843) 449-5283

Straight-line miles from the center of Sunset Beach. 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 Sunset Beach

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $5,924 monthly median income of Sunset Beach households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Sunset Beach: common questions

Which hospices serve Sunset Beach?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Sunset Beach ZIP codes, including Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, Liberty Home Care And Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Sunset Beach?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $5,924 monthly median income of Sunset Beach households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Sunset Beach. 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 North Carolina.

More near Sunset Beach

More senior care near Sunset Beach

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Sunset Beach

More for Sunset Beach 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 Sunset Beach, NC