Respite Care in The Dalles, OR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in The Dalles, OR: the local picture

3,198

residents 65 or older (20% of The Dalles)

60%

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

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Wasco County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve The Dalles ZIP codes

Most older adults in The Dalles live with someone: 60% 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 1,036 The Dalles residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (35% in Wasco County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving The Dalles ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

The Dalles compared with Wasco County and Oregon

Census figure	The Dalles	Wasco County	Oregon
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	35%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	34%	27%
Residents 65 or older	20%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.1%	9.3%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	8.1%	6.0%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,012	$51,897	—

Older residents in towns around The Dalles

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
White Salmon, WA	18 mi	790	21%
Hood River, OR	20 mi	1,359	41%
Goldendale, WA	22 mi	852	43%
Mount Hood Villages, OR	45 mi	1,303	25%
Sandy, OR	56 mi	1,664	39%
Washougal, WA	58 mi	2,932	29%

Hospices serving The Dalles

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Bristol Hospice	Hood River, OR	19 mi	(541) 386-1942
Providence Hospice	Portland, OR	70 mi	(503) 215-2273

Nursing homes near The Dalles (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oregon Veterans Home	The Dalles, OR	1.1 mi	3 of 5	151	(541) 296-7190
The Dalles Health And Rehabilitation	The Dalles, OR	2.8 mi	4 of 5	121	(541) 298-5158
Columbia Basin Care Facility	The Dalles, OR	2.9 mi	1 of 5	90	(541) 296-2156
Hood River Post Acute	Hood River, OR	20 mi	3 of 5	100	(541) 386-2688

Straight-line miles from the center of The Dalles. 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 The Dalles

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $4,334 monthly median income of The Dalles households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 The Dalles: common questions

Which hospices serve The Dalles?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for The Dalles ZIP codes, including Bristol Hospice, Providence Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in The Dalles?

At the Oregon median aide wage of $21.35 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,850 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $4,334 monthly median income of The Dalles households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Oregon's minimum wage is $16.80 in the Portland metro area, $15.55 in the standard state rate, $14.55 in non-urban counties (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 The Dalles. 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 Oregon.

More near The Dalles

More senior care near The Dalles

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in The Dalles

More for The Dalles 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 The Dalles, OR