Respite Care in Wake Forest, NC for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wake Forest, NC: the local picture

6,766

residents 65 or older (13% of Wake Forest)

84%

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

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Wake County)

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wake Forest ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wake Forest live with someone: 84% 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 1,855 Wake Forest residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (28% in Wake County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 16 hospices serving Wake Forest ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Wake Forest compared with Wake County and North Carolina

Census figure	Wake Forest	Wake County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	28%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	16%	25%	28%
Residents 65 or older	13%	13%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.3%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.9%	8.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	3.2%	4.4%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$78,057	$72,233	—

Older residents in towns around Wake Forest

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Rolesville, NC	4.4 mi	1,340	27%
Youngsville, NC	5.2 mi	218	33%
Franklinton, NC	10 mi	366	29%
Raleigh, NC	12 mi	57,081	28%
Knightdale, NC	12 mi	1,925	30%
Creedmoor, NC	14 mi	809	36%

Hospices serving Wake Forest

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Heartland Hospice (Raleigh )	Raleigh, NC	10 mi	(919) 877-9959
Transitions Lifecare	Raleigh, NC	15 mi	(919) 828-0890
Duke Hospice	Durham, NC	23 mi	(919) 613-4663
Kindred Hospice	Oxford, NC	26 mi	(919) 603-0126
Community Home Care Of Vance County	Henderson, NC	26 mi	(252) 972-2200

Nursing homes near Wake Forest (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest	Wake Forest, NC	1.1 mi	5 of 5	130	(919) 556-4082
Perry Creek Health And Rehabilitation Center	Raleigh, NC	5.7 mi	1 of 5	132	(919) 872-7033
Litchford Falls Health And Rehabilitation Center	Raleigh, NC	7.2 mi	1 of 5	90	(919) 878-7772
The Rosewood Health Center	Raleigh, NC	9.4 mi	5 of 5	57	(919) 870-9007

Straight-line miles from the center of Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $6,505 monthly median income of Wake Forest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Wake Forest: common questions

Which hospices serve Wake Forest?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Wake Forest ZIP codes, including Heartland Hospice (Raleigh ), Transitions Lifecare, Duke Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Wake Forest?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $6,505 monthly median income of Wake Forest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Wake Forest. 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 Carolina.

More near Wake Forest

More senior care near Wake Forest

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wake Forest

More for Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest, NC