Respite Care in Wabasha, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wabasha, MN: the local picture

948

residents 65 or older (37% of Wabasha)

71%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Wabasha County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wabasha ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wabasha live with someone: 71% 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 212 Wabasha residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (26% in Wabasha County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Wabasha ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Wabasha compared with Wabasha County and Minnesota

Census figure	Wabasha	Wabasha County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	26%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	37%	23%	17%
Residents 85 or older	5.4%	2.6%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.2%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	10%	5.2%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,201	$57,153	—

Older residents in towns around Wabasha

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lake City, MN	13 mi	1,482	29%
Plainview, MN	16 mi	536	27%
Mondovi, WI	23 mi	634	45%
Goodview, MN	27 mi	781	29%
St. Charles, MN	28 mi	560	32%
Arcadia, WI	29 mi	378	27%

Hospices serving Wabasha

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mayo Clinic Hospice	Rochester, MN	32 mi	(507) 284-4002
Moments Hospice	Rochester, MN	33 mi	(507) 888-9700
St Croix Hospice	Oakdale, MN	62 mi	(651) 735-3656
St Croix Hospice	Albert Lea, MN	82 mi	(507) 416-4247

Nursing homes near Wabasha (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Gundersen St Elizabeth's Care Center	Wabasha, MN	1.0 mi	5 of 5	100	(651) 565-4581
Mayo Clinic Health System - Lake City	Lake City, MN	13 mi	2 of 5	90	(651) 345-1144
The Green Prairie Rehabilitation Center	Plainview, MN	16 mi	5 of 5	42	(507) 534-3191
Plum City Care Ctr	Plum City, WI	19 mi	5 of 5	50	(715) 647-2401

Straight-line miles from the center of Wabasha. 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 Wabasha

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,767 monthly median income of Wabasha households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Wabasha: common questions

Which hospices serve Wabasha?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Wabasha ZIP codes, including Mayo Clinic Hospice, Moments Hospice, St Croix Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Wabasha?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,767 monthly median income of Wabasha households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Wabasha. 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 Minnesota.

More near Wabasha

More senior care near Wabasha

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wabasha

More for Wabasha 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 Wabasha, MN