Respite Care in Waukee, IA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Waukee, IA: the local picture

3,250

residents 65 or older (11% of Waukee)

66%

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

29%

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

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waukee ZIP codes

Most older adults in Waukee live with someone: 66% 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 924 Waukee residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (27% in Dallas County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Waukee ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Waukee compared with Dallas County and Iowa

Census figure	Waukee	Dallas County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	28%	31%
Residents 65 or older	11%	13%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.9%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.4%	6.1%	8.4%
Households with no vehicle	2.7%	2.9%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,061	$67,985	—

Older residents in towns around Waukee

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Clive, IA	4.7 mi	3,026	24%
West Des Moines, IA	5.9 mi	10,723	28%
Urbandale, IA	6.2 mi	6,881	22%
Adel, IA	6.8 mi	792	21%
Grimes, IA	7.3 mi	1,199	27%
Windsor Heights, IA	8.8 mi	985	35%

Hospices serving Waukee

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Care Initiatives Hospice - West Des Moines	West Des Moines, IA	4.5 mi	(515) 223-3813
Suncrest Hospice, LLC	West Des Moines, IA	4.5 mi	(515) 327-6026
Wesleylife Hospice	Urbandale, IA	8.7 mi	(515) 271-6777
Unitypoint Hospice	Urbandale, IA	8.7 mi	(515) 557-3100
Hospice Of The Midwest, LLC	Johnston, IA	11 mi	(515) 218-2143

Nursing homes near Waukee (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines L L C	West Des Moines, IA	3.3 mi	1 of 5	56	(515) 223-1135
Cedar Ridge Village	West Des Moines, IA	3.5 mi	3 of 5	40	(515) 369-2100
Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community	West Des Moines, IA	3.6 mi	4 of 5	40	(515) 978-2400
Deerfield Health Care Center	Urbandale, IA	4.3 mi	5 of 5	30	(515) 331-6900

Straight-line miles from the center of Waukee. 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 Waukee

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,005 monthly median income of Waukee households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Waukee: common questions

Which hospices serve Waukee?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Waukee ZIP codes, including Care Initiatives Hospice - West Des Moines, Suncrest Hospice, LLC, Wesleylife Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Waukee?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,005 monthly median income of Waukee households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 Waukee. 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 Iowa.

More near Waukee

More senior care near Waukee

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waukee

More for Waukee 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 Waukee, IA