Respite Care in Willmar, MN: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Willmar, MN: the local picture

4,021

residents 65 or older (19% of Willmar)

65%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Kandiyohi County)

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Willmar ZIP codes

Most older adults in Willmar live with someone: 65% 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 1,233 Willmar residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (31% in Kandiyohi County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Willmar compared with Kandiyohi County and Minnesota

Census figure	Willmar	Kandiyohi County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	31%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	28%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	21%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.5%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	8.1%	5.5%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,724	$60,833	—

Older residents in towns around Willmar

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Paynesville, MN	24 mi	682	37%
Litchfield, MN	26 mi	1,462	37%
Benson, MN	30 mi	774	51%
Granite Falls, MN	32 mi	609	25%
Montevideo, MN	34 mi	1,192	40%
Hutchinson, MN	37 mi	3,291	30%

Hospices serving Willmar

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Centracare Hospice	Willmar, MN	1.3 mi	(320) 231-4470
Bethesda Hospice	Willmar, MN	1.3 mi	(320) 235-8364
Divine Hospice Care	Willmar, MN	1.3 mi	(320) 231-9757
Olivia Hospital & Clinic - Hospice	Olivia, MN	25 mi	(320) 523-1261
St Croix Hospice	St. Cloud, MN	52 mi	(320) 201-5930

Nursing homes near Willmar (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Cura Of Willmar	Willmar, MN	0.8 mi	2 of 5	78	(320) 214-2700
Bethesda	Willmar, MN	1.5 mi	4 of 5	248	(320) 262-5376
Glenoaks Senior Living Campus	New London, MN	14 mi	1 of 5	52	(320) 354-6057
Clara City Care Center	Clara City, MN	19 mi	1 of 5	48	(320) 847-2221

Straight-line miles from the center of Willmar. 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 Willmar

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,144 monthly median income of Willmar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Willmar: common questions

Which hospices serve Willmar?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Willmar ZIP codes, including Centracare Hospice, Bethesda Hospice, Divine Hospice Care.

How much does respite care cost in Willmar?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $4,144 monthly median income of Willmar households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Willmar. 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 Minnesota.

More near Willmar

More senior care near Willmar

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Willmar

More for Willmar 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 Willmar, MN