Respite Care in Tacoma, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Tacoma, WA: the local picture

33,418

residents 65 or older (15% of Tacoma)

70%

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

38%

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

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve Tacoma ZIP codes

Most older adults in Tacoma 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 12,164 Tacoma residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (36% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 17 hospices serving Tacoma ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Tacoma compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Tacoma	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	8.8%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,212	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Tacoma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fircrest, WA	3.0 mi	1,314	34%
University Place, WA	4.8 mi	6,796	32%
Fife, WA	5.3 mi	790	44%
Waller, WA	5.4 mi	1,331	36%
Midland, WA	5.9 mi	1,223	52%
Wollochet, WA	5.9 mi	1,739	38%

Hospices serving Tacoma

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Bristol Hospice - Pierce, LLC	Tacoma, WA	0.3 mi	(253) 215-9461
Envision Hospice	Tacoma, WA	0.3 mi	(360) 350-4875
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	0.9 mi	(253) 301-6400
Pnw Hospice LLC	Tacoma, WA	0.9 mi	(253) 301-6490
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pierce County	Tacoma, WA	3.5 mi	(517) 256-0946

Nursing homes near Tacoma (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Park Rose Care Center	Tacoma, WA	1.6 mi	2 of 5	139	(253) 752-5677
Avamere At Pacific Ridge	Tacoma, WA	2.3 mi	2 of 5	102	(253) 475-2507
Avamere Transitional Care Of Puget Sound	Tacoma, WA	2.8 mi	4 of 5	60	(253) 671-7300
Eliseo	Tacoma, WA	2.9 mi	3 of 5	187	(253) 752-7112

Straight-line miles from the center of Tacoma. 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 Tacoma

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 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma 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 Tacoma: common questions

Which hospices serve Tacoma?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for Tacoma ZIP codes, including Bristol Hospice - Pierce, LLC, Envision Hospice, Multicare Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Tacoma?

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 40% of the $5,018 monthly median income of Tacoma 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 Tacoma. 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 Tacoma

More senior care near Tacoma

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Tacoma

More for Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA