Respite Care in Wilson, NC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wilson, NC: the local picture

8,751

residents 65 or older (18% of Wilson)

65%

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

32%

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

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wilson ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wilson 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 2,668 Wilson residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (36% in Wilson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Wilson compared with Wilson County and North Carolina

Census figure	Wilson	Wilson County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	31%	28%
Residents 65 or older	18%	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.7%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	14%	11%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	7.0%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,352	$40,652	—

Older residents in towns around Wilson

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Nashville, NC	16 mi	1,248	27%
Rocky Mount, NC	18 mi	10,923	33%
Farmville, NC	21 mi	1,220	42%
Lake Royale, NC	22 mi	894	46%
Zebulon, NC	23 mi	1,122	66%
Red Oak, NC	23 mi	1,046	25%

Hospices serving Wilson

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Wilson Medical Center	Wilson, NC	0.5 mi	(252) 399-8924
Pruitthealth Hospice - Rocky Mount	Rocky Mount, NC	19 mi	(252) 442-9126
Hospice And Palliative Care Of Nash General Hospital	Rocky Mount, NC	19 mi	(252) 443-8124
Kindred Hospice	Tarboro, NC	25 mi	(252) 641-7518
3HC	Goldsboro, NC	25 mi	(919) 735-5887

Nursing homes near Wilson (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Wilson Pines Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Wilson, NC	1.3 mi	4 of 5	108	(252) 237-0724
Harmony Park At Wilson	Wilson, NC	1.4 mi	4 of 5	110	(252) 237-8161
Wilson Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Wilson, NC	1.4 mi	4 of 5	90	(252) 399-8998
Wilson Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Wilson, NC	1.5 mi	5 of 5	81	(252) 237-6300

Straight-line miles from the center of Wilson. 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 Wilson

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,446 monthly median income of Wilson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Wilson: common questions

Which hospices serve Wilson?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Wilson ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Wilson Medical Center, Pruitthealth Hospice - Rocky Mount, Hospice And Palliative Care Of Nash General Hospital.

How much does respite care cost in Wilson?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,446 monthly median income of Wilson households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina'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 Wilson. 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 Carolina.

More near Wilson

More senior care near Wilson

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wilson

More for Wilson 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 Wilson, NC