Respite Care in West Hattiesburg, MS
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 Hattiesburg for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in West Hattiesburg, MS: the local picture
Most older adults in West Hattiesburg live with someone: 73% 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 324 West Hattiesburg residents aged 65 or older report a disability (50%) (47% in Forrest County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 13 hospices serving West Hattiesburg ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
West Hattiesburg compared with Forrest County and Mississippi
| Census figure | West Hattiesburg | Forrest County | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 50% | 47% | 41% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 27% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 11% | 14% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 14% | 15% |
| Households with no vehicle | 21% | 7.1% | 6.3% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $40,563 | $49,275 | — |
Older residents in towns around West Hattiesburg
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg, MS | 3.5 mi | 6,399 | 45% |
| Petal, MS | 8.8 mi | 1,713 | 49% |
| Ellisville, MS | 22 mi | 850 | 54% |
| Columbia, MS | 26 mi | 1,375 | 59% |
| Laurel, MS | 30 mi | 2,504 | 46% |
| Poplarville, MS | 34 mi | 332 | 15% |
Hospices serving West Hattiesburg
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhabit Hospice | Hattiesburg, MS | 0.0 mi | (601) 264-8691 |
| St Joseph Hospice Of Southern Mississippi, LLC | Hattiesburg, MS | 0.0 mi | (601) 261-2515 |
| Gentiva | Hattiesburg, MS | 0.0 mi | (228) 385-7845 |
| Forrest General Home Care And Hospice | Hattiesburg, MS | 0.0 mi | (601) 288-2500 |
| Heart Of Hospice, LLC - Southern | Hattiesburg, MS | 4.2 mi | (601) 714-1221 |
Nursing homes near West Hattiesburg (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windham House Of Hattiesburg | Hattiesburg, MS | 0.7 mi | 5 of 5 | 60 | (601) 264-0058 |
| Merit Health Wesley | Hattiesburg, MS | 1.2 mi | 5 of 5 | 25 | (601) 268-5962 |
| Bedford Care Center Of Hattiesburg | Hattiesburg, MS | 2.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 120 | (601) 264-3709 |
| Forrest General Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit | Hattiesburg, MS | 3.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 30 | (601) 288-4233 |
Straight-line miles from the center of West Hattiesburg. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in West Hattiesburg
At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $3,380 monthly median income of West Hattiesburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (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.
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.
Respite Care in West Hattiesburg: common questions
Which hospices serve West Hattiesburg?
Medicare lists 13 hospices for West Hattiesburg ZIP codes, including Enhabit Hospice, St Joseph Hospice Of Southern Mississippi, LLC, Gentiva.
How much does respite care cost in West Hattiesburg?
At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $3,380 monthly median income of West Hattiesburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (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 West Hattiesburg. 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 Mississippi.
More senior care near West Hattiesburg
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Hattiesburg, MS
- Respite Care in Petal, MS
- Respite Care in Ellisville, MS
- Respite Care in Columbia, MS
- Respite Care in Laurel, MS
- Respite Care in Poplarville, MS
- Respite Care in Wiggins, MS
- Respite Care in Magee, MS
- Respite Care in Bogalusa, LA
- Respite Care in Leakesville, MS
- Respite Care in Waynesboro, MS
- Respite Care in Hide-A-Way Lake, MS
- Respite Care in Lucedale, MS
- Respite Care in Franklinton, LA
- Respite Care in Picayune, MS
- Respite Care in Nicholson, MS
Other care in West Hattiesburg
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.
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