Respite Care in Wahpeton, ND: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wahpeton, ND: the local picture

1,557

residents 65 or older (19% of Wahpeton)

64%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Richland County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wahpeton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wahpeton live with someone: 64% 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 428 Wahpeton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (27% in Richland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Wahpeton compared with Richland County and North Dakota

Census figure	Wahpeton	Richland County	North Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	27%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	29%	33%
Residents 65 or older	19%	20%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	10%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	10%	6.3%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,228	$51,739	—

Older residents in towns around Wahpeton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Breckenridge, MN	1.4 mi	667	30%
Fergus Falls, MN	26 mi	3,663	40%
Barnesville, MN	28 mi	359	37%
Pelican Rapids, MN	32 mi	444	26%
Horace, ND	36 mi	294	22%
Moorhead, MN	41 mi	5,703	31%

Hospices serving Wahpeton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Chi Health At Home	Breckenridge, MN	2.4 mi	(218) 643-2275
Hia Hospice	Fargo, ND	38 mi	(701) 356-1500
Chi Health At Home - Hospice	Dickinson, ND	294 mi	(701) 456-4378

Nursing homes near Wahpeton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
St Catherines Living Center	Wahpeton, ND	0.5 mi	2 of 5	49	(701) 642-6667
St Francis Home	Breckenridge, MN	1.2 mi	5 of 5	80	(218) 643-3000
St Gerard's Community Of Care	Hankinson, ND	20 mi	3 of 5	34	(701) 242-7891

Straight-line miles from the center of Wahpeton. 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 Wahpeton

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Wahpeton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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 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 Wahpeton: common questions

Which hospices serve Wahpeton?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Wahpeton ZIP codes, including Chi Health At Home, Hia Hospice, Chi Health At Home - Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Wahpeton?

At the North Dakota median aide wage of $18.96 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,643 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Wahpeton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Dakota'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 Wahpeton. 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 North Dakota.

More near Wahpeton

More senior care near Wahpeton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wahpeton

More for Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton, ND