Respite Care in Wauna, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wauna, WA: the local picture

1,144

residents 65 or older (24% of Wauna)

74%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wauna ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wauna live with someone: 74% 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 360 Wauna residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (36% in Pierce County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Wauna ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Wauna compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	Wauna	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	25%	26%
Residents 65 or older	24%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.4%	8.8%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	1.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,583	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around Wauna

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Canterwood, WA	3.2 mi	520	25%
Rosedale, WA	3.4 mi	663	23%
Gig Harbor, WA	4.5 mi	3,799	25%
Maplewood, WA	4.9 mi	1,401	22%
Key Center, WA	5.4 mi	712	32%
Artondale, WA	5.6 mi	2,682	24%

Hospices serving Wauna

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Franciscan Hospice	University Place, WA	12 mi	(253) 534-7000
Multicare Hospice	Tacoma, WA	14 mi	(253) 301-6400
Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South	Lacey, WA	25 mi	(206) 459-8311
Continuum Care Of Snohomish, LLC	Lynnwood, WA	34 mi	(510) 499-9977

Nursing homes near Wauna (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Heron's Key	Gig Harbor, WA	4.0 mi	5 of 5	30	(253) 313-0800
Gig Harbor Health And Rehabilitation	Gig Harbor, WA	7.1 mi	2 of 5	120	(253) 858-8688
Cottesmore Of Life Care	Gig Harbor, WA	8.5 mi	5 of 5	108	(253) 851-5433
Life Care Center Of Port Orchard	Port Orchard, WA	9.3 mi	5 of 5	125	(360) 876-8035

Straight-line miles from the center of Wauna. 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 Wauna

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $4,549 monthly median income of Wauna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Wauna: common questions

Which hospices serve Wauna?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Wauna ZIP codes, including Franciscan Hospice, Multicare Hospice, Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South.

How much does respite care cost in Wauna?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $4,549 monthly median income of Wauna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Wauna. 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 Washington.

More near Wauna

More senior care near Wauna

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wauna

More for Wauna 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 Wauna, WA