Respite Care in Washington, UT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Washington, UT: the local picture

6,786

residents 65 or older (21% of Washington)

84%

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

22%

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

19

Medicare-certified hospices serve Washington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Washington 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 1,469 Washington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (22%) (28% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 19 hospices serving Washington ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Washington compared with Washington County and Utah

Census figure	Washington	Washington County	Utah
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	16%	20%	22%
Residents 65 or older	21%	22%	12%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	2.4%	1.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.8%	7.6%	7.5%
Households with no vehicle	2.1%	3.3%	4.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$65,109	$65,413	—

Older residents in towns around Washington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
St. George, UT	6.0 mi	22,225	31%
Hurricane, UT	7.3 mi	5,694	28%
Santa Clara, UT	9.3 mi	1,281	37%
Ivins, UT	11 mi	3,191	20%
La Verkin, UT	15 mi	645	33%
Colorado City, AZ	30 mi	45	49%

Hospices serving Washington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Desert Haven Hospice, LLC	Washington, UT	1.2 mi	(801) 309-9763
Atlas Hospice Of Southern Utah	St. George, UT	1.2 mi	(435) 628-8410
Advanced Hospice Of St. George	St George, UT	4.9 mi	(435) 522-2200
Mission Hospice Services Of St. George	St. George, UT	4.9 mi	(435) 767-1171
Summit Hospice St. George	St. George, UT	4.9 mi	(435) 359-4599

Nursing homes near Washington (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Red Cliffs Health And Rehab	St George, UT	3.0 mi	1 of 5	124	(435) 628-7770
Coral Desert Rehabilitation And Care	St. George, UT	4.0 mi	5 of 5	60	(435) 674-5195
St. George Rehabilitation	St. George, UT	4.2 mi	4 of 5	99	(435) 628-0488
Bella Terra St George (Black Rock Health And Rehab	St. George, UT	4.3 mi	1 of 5	149	(435) 688-1207

Straight-line miles from the center of Washington. 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 Washington

At the Utah median aide wage of $17.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,495 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,426 monthly median income of Washington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Utah'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 Washington: common questions

Which hospices serve Washington?

Medicare lists 19 hospices for Washington ZIP codes, including Desert Haven Hospice, LLC, Atlas Hospice Of Southern Utah, Advanced Hospice Of St. George.

How much does respite care cost in Washington?

At the Utah median aide wage of $17.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,495 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,426 monthly median income of Washington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Utah'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 Washington. 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 Utah.

More near Washington

More senior care near Washington

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 Washington, UT