Respite Care in Vernon, WI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Vernon, WI: the local picture

2,126

residents 65 or older (28% of Vernon)

80%

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

19%

of residents 65+ report a disability (25% in Waukesha County)

21

Medicare-certified hospices serve Vernon ZIP codes

Most older adults in Vernon live with someone: 80% 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 408 Vernon residents aged 65 or older report a disability (19%) (25% in Waukesha County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Vernon ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Vernon compared with Waukesha County and Wisconsin

Census figure	Vernon	Waukesha County	Wisconsin
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	25%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	28%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.6%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.8%	6.8%	9.1%
Households with no vehicle	0.0%	3.5%	6.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$86,583	$65,141	—

Older residents in towns around Vernon

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Mukwonago, WI	3.3 mi	1,395	50%
Tichigan, WI	5.5 mi	1,026	16%
Wind Lake, WI	6.7 mi	990	35%
Muskego, WI	6.7 mi	5,269	22%
Waterford, WI	8.2 mi	1,266	29%
Waukesha, WI	9.1 mi	11,096	27%

Hospices serving Vernon

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
St Croix Hospice Waukesha	Waukesha, WI	9.2 mi	(262) 796-0600
Prohealth Home Hospice	Waukesha, WI	9.2 mi	(262) 928-7444
Commonheart Hospice	Waukesha, WI	9.2 mi	(920) 206-6202
Castle Hospice	New Berlin, WI	11 mi	(414) 930-4432
Holistic Hospice	Greenfield, WI	13 mi	(414) 231-3130

Nursing homes near Vernon (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Tudor Oaks Health Center	Muskego, WI	7.2 mi	2 of 5	50	(414) 529-0100
Muskego Health And Rehabilitation Center	Muskego, WI	7.2 mi	2 of 5	49	(262) 679-0246
Complete Care At Kensington	Waukesha, WI	8.5 mi	1 of 5	150	(262) 548-1400
Lindengrove Mukwonago	Mukwonago, WI	8.6 mi	2 of 5	47	(262) 363-6830

Straight-line miles from the center of Vernon. 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 Vernon

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,215 monthly median income of Vernon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver.

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 Vernon: common questions

Which hospices serve Vernon?

Medicare lists 21 hospices for Vernon ZIP codes, including St Croix Hospice Waukesha, Prohealth Home Hospice, Commonheart Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Vernon?

At the Wisconsin median aide wage of $17.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,514 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,215 monthly median income of Vernon households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Wisconsin'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 Vernon. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide IRIS in Wisconsin: how a family member gets paid as a caregiver covers Wisconsin.

More near Vernon

More senior care near Vernon

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Vernon

More for Vernon 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 Vernon, WI