West Fargo, North Dakota

Respite Care in West Fargo, 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 West Fargo for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A smiling caregiver with her arm around an older woman in a bright room at home
Local figures

Respite Care in West Fargo, ND: the local picture

4,963
residents 65 or older (12% of West Fargo)
71%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
34%
of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Cass County)
3
Medicare-certified hospices serve West Fargo ZIP codes

Most older adults in West Fargo live with someone: 71% 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 1,635 West Fargo residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (30% in Cass County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving West Fargo ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

West Fargo compared with Cass County and North Dakota

Census figureWest FargoCass CountyNorth Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability34%30%31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone29%33%33%
Residents 65 or older12%13%17%
Residents 85 or older1.6%1.5%2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)7.0%7.6%9.9%
Households with no vehicle4.0%6.8%5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$66,681$62,681—

Older residents in towns around West Fargo

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Fargo, ND3.6 mi17,51030%
Horace, ND6.9 mi29422%
Moorhead, MN7.6 mi5,70331%
Dilworth, MN10.0 mi57139%
Casselton, ND15 mi29339%
Barnesville, MN27 mi35937%

Hospices serving West Fargo

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Ethos HospiceFargo, ND5.3 mi(701) 356-3803
Hia HospiceFargo, ND5.3 mi(701) 356-1500
Sanford Fargo HospiceFargo, ND5.6 mi(701) 234-7550

Nursing homes near West Fargo (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Sheyenne Crossings Care Center/TcuWest Fargo, ND0.5 mi5 of 564(701) 478-6100
Eventide FargoFargo, ND1.6 mi3 of 598(701) 478-1800
Smp Health - St Catherine SouthFargo, ND5.0 mi4 of 598(701) 293-7750
The Meadows On UniversityFargo, ND5.1 mi1 of 595(701) 237-3030

Straight-line miles from the center of West Fargo. 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 West Fargo

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 30% of the $5,557 monthly median income of West Fargo 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 West Fargo: common questions

Which hospices serve West Fargo?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for West Fargo ZIP codes, including Ethos Hospice, Hia Hospice, Sanford Fargo Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in West Fargo?

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 30% of the $5,557 monthly median income of West Fargo 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 West Fargo. 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; 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 West Fargo

Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near West Fargo 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