Respite Care in Waycross, GA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Waycross, GA: the local picture

2,423

residents 65 or older (18% of Waycross)

55%

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

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Ware County)

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waycross ZIP codes

Most older adults in Waycross live with someone: 55% 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 1,066 Waycross residents aged 65 or older report a disability (49%) (40% in Ware County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Waycross compared with Ware County and Georgia

Census figure	Waycross	Ware County	Georgia
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	40%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	35%	26%
Residents 65 or older	18%	17%	15%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.1%	1.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	27%	18%	11%
Households with no vehicle	27%	16%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,232	$39,008	—

Older residents in towns around Waycross

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Blackshear, GA	8.3 mi	727	46%
Alma, GA	24 mi	714	55%
Nicholls, GA	27 mi	263	46%
Folkston, GA	33 mi	528	24%
Douglas, GA	36 mi	1,671	43%
Jesup, GA	38 mi	2,417	29%

Hospices serving Waycross

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Satilla Of Mem Hosp	Waycross, GA	0.9 mi	(912) 285-2340
Affinis Hospice	Waycross, GA	0.9 mi	(912) 590-0121
Hospice Of South Georgia, Inc.	Jesup, GA	39 mi	(912) 588-0080
Coastal Hospice Of Georgia	Brunswick, GA	49 mi	(912) 434-9810
Hearth Hospice Of Brunswick, LLC	Brunswick, GA	49 mi	(912) 574-5882

Nursing homes near Waycross (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Harborview Satilla	Waycross, GA	1.6 mi	1 of 5	174	(912) 283-1182
Waycross Health And Rehabilitation	Waycross, GA	1.6 mi	5 of 5	92	(912) 285-4721
Baptist Village, Inc.	Waycross, GA	2.8 mi	2 of 5	254	(912) 283-7050
Bayview Nursing Home	Nahunta, GA	21 mi	4 of 5	63	(912) 462-6044

Straight-line miles from the center of Waycross. 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 Waycross

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 54% of the $2,269 monthly median income of Waycross households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Waycross: common questions

Which hospices serve Waycross?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Waycross ZIP codes, including Hospice Satilla Of Mem Hosp, Affinis Hospice, Hospice Of South Georgia, Inc..

How much does respite care cost in Waycross?

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 54% of the $2,269 monthly median income of Waycross households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Waycross. 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 Georgia.

More near Waycross

More senior care near Waycross

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waycross

More for Waycross 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 Waycross, GA