Respite Care in Waco, TX: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Waco, TX: the local picture

19,292

residents 65 or older (13% of Waco)

68%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in McLennan County)

31

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waco ZIP codes

Most older adults in Waco 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 7,438 Waco residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (37% in McLennan County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 31 hospices serving Waco ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Waco compared with McLennan County and Texas

Census figure	Waco	McLennan County	Texas
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	37%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	25%	25%
Residents 65 or older	13%	15%	13%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	1.7%	1.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	10%	12%
Households with no vehicle	6.8%	5.3%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,729	$56,849	—

Older residents in towns around Waco

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Woodway, TX	4.8 mi	2,201	24%
Bellmead, TX	6.6 mi	1,485	25%
Lacy-Lakeview, TX	7.1 mi	800	46%
Hewitt, TX	7.4 mi	3,097	36%
Robinson, TX	8.3 mi	1,865	30%
McGregor, TX	17 mi	858	43%

Hospices serving Waco

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco	Waco, TX	1.4 mi	(254) 202-5100
Gentiva	Waco, TX	1.6 mi	(254) 399-0963
Magnolia Hospice	Waco, TX	1.6 mi	(254) 741-6570
Compassus - Central Texas	Waco, TX	1.6 mi	(254) 870-5174
Alamo Hospice Of Waco	Waco, TX	1.6 mi	(254) 313-0072

Nursing homes near Waco (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Ivy Creek Wellness & Rehabilitation	Waco, TX	1.4 mi	1 of 5	162	(254) 752-0311
Avir At Jeffrey Place	Waco, TX	2.2 mi	3 of 5	95	(254) 772-9480
Lakeshore Village Nursing And Rehabilitation	Waco, TX	2.4 mi	1 of 5	151	(254) 752-1075
Crestview Healthcare Residence	Waco, TX	2.6 mi	4 of 5	192	(254) 753-0291

Straight-line miles from the center of Waco. 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 Waco

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $3,894 monthly median income of Waco households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family 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 Waco: common questions

Which hospices serve Waco?

Medicare lists 31 hospices for Waco ZIP codes, including Baylor Scott & White Hospice-Waco, Gentiva, Magnolia Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Waco?

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $3,894 monthly median income of Waco households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas'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 Waco. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family caregiver covers Texas.

More near Waco

More senior care near Waco

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waco

More for Waco 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 Waco, TX