Respite Care in Union Gap, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Union Gap, WA: the local picture

860

residents 65 or older (13% of Union Gap)

68%

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

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Yakima County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Union Gap ZIP codes

Most older adults in Union Gap 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 354 Union Gap residents aged 65 or older report a disability (42%) (39% in Yakima County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Union Gap ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Union Gap compared with Yakima County and Washington

Census figure	Union Gap	Yakima County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	39%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	26%	26%
Residents 65 or older	13%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.6%	1.8%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	13%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	2.6%	5.2%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,275	$55,102	—

Older residents in towns around Union Gap

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Yakima, WA	3.7 mi	16,069	39%
Terrace Heights, WA	4.1 mi	1,892	34%
Moxee, WA	4.6 mi	215	16%
Ahtanum, WA	5.8 mi	402	47%
Selah, WA	6.7 mi	1,237	45%
Wapato, WA	8.4 mi	398	44%

Hospices serving Union Gap

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Astria Hospice	Yakima, WA	3.3 mi	(509) 575-5093
Memorial Home Care Services/Hospice Services	Yakima, WA	3.3 mi	(509) 574-3600
Heartlinks	Grandview, WA	34 mi	(509) 837-1676

Nursing homes near Union Gap (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Parkside Care	Union Gap, WA	0.6 mi	1 of 5	88	(509) 248-1985
Garden Village	Yakima, WA	3.1 mi	2 of 5	101	(509) 453-4854
Good Samaritan Health Care Ctr	Yakima, WA	4.2 mi	5 of 5	105	(509) 248-5320
Summitview Rehab And Health Center	Yakima, WA	4.5 mi	5 of 5	78	(509) 965-5240

Straight-line miles from the center of Union Gap. 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 Union Gap

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 47% of the $4,190 monthly median income of Union Gap 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 Union Gap: common questions

Which hospices serve Union Gap?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Union Gap ZIP codes, including Astria Hospice, Memorial Home Care Services/Hospice Services, Heartlinks.

How much does respite care cost in Union Gap?

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 47% of the $4,190 monthly median income of Union Gap 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 Union Gap. 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 Union Gap

More senior care near Union Gap

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Union Gap

More for Union Gap 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 Union Gap, WA