Watford City, North Dakota

Respite Care in Watford City, ND

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Watford City for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger woman and an older woman looking at a phone together on a park bench
Local figures

Respite Care in Watford City, ND: the local picture

311
residents 65 or older (5.1% of Watford City)
57%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
31%
of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in McKenzie County)
1
Medicare-certified hospices serve Watford City ZIP codes

Most older adults in Watford City live with someone: 57% 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 77 Watford City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (34% in McKenzie County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Watford City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Watford City compared with McKenzie County and North Dakota

Census figureWatford CityMcKenzie CountyNorth Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability31%34%31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone43%28%33%
Residents 65 or older5.1%9.3%17%
Residents 85 or older0.9%0.7%2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)21%16%9.9%
Households with no vehicle4.5%5.0%5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$48,864$57,853—

Older residents in towns around Watford City

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Williston, ND32 mi2,81032%
New Town, ND38 mi24026%
Sidney, MT42 mi83831%
Dickinson, ND67 mi3,24132%

Hospices serving Watford City

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Chi Health At Home - HospiceWilliston, ND34 mi(701) 774-7430

Nursing homes near Watford City (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Long Term CareWatford City, ND0.3 mi4 of 542(701) 444-2331

Straight-line miles from the center of Watford City. 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 Watford City

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 40% of the $4,072 monthly median income of Watford City 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 Watford City: common questions

Which hospices serve Watford City?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Watford City ZIP codes, including Chi Health At Home - Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Watford City?

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 40% of the $4,072 monthly median income of Watford City 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 Watford City. 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.

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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.

Find respite care in Watford City

Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Watford City can see it as soon as it is live.

Create your free family account

Looking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.

A woman on a sofa at home reviewing caregiver profiles on a laptop