Respite Care in Yankton, SD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Yankton, SD: the local picture

3,426

residents 65 or older (22% of Yankton)

58%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Yankton County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Yankton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Yankton live with someone: 58% 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 1,084 Yankton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (33% in Yankton County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Yankton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Yankton compared with Yankton County and South Dakota

Census figure	Yankton	Yankton County	South Dakota
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	37%	30%
Residents 65 or older	22%	21%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	1.9%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	11%	10%
Households with no vehicle	7.3%	5.2%	5.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,400	$58,149	—

Older residents in towns around Yankton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Vermillion, SD	25 mi	1,136	29%
Elk Point, SD	39 mi	450	44%
Hawarden, IA	47 mi	452	38%
Tea, SD	48 mi	371	37%
Wayne, NE	49 mi	734	41%
Canton, SD	50 mi	786	30%

Hospices serving Yankton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Avera @ Home	Yankton, SD	0.6 mi	(605) 668-8327
Aseracare Hospice	Sioux Falls, SD	53 mi	(605) 338-2066

Nursing homes near Yankton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
SD Human Services Center - Geriatric Program	Yankton, SD	1.7 mi	5 of 5	69	(605) 668-3100
Avera Sister James Care Center	Yankton, SD	1.9 mi	5 of 5	194	(605) 668-8900
Wakonda Heritage Manor	Wakonda, SD	17 mi	5 of 5	38	(605) 267-2081
Sunset Manor Avera Health	Irene, SD	18 mi	2 of 5	58	(605) 263-3318

Straight-line miles from the center of Yankton. 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 Yankton

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,617 monthly median income of Yankton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Yankton: common questions

Which hospices serve Yankton?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Yankton ZIP codes, including Avera @ Home, Aseracare Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Yankton?

At the South Dakota median aide wage of $18.15 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,573 a month in wages, which is 34% of the $4,617 monthly median income of Yankton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 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 Yankton. 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 South Dakota.

More near Yankton

More senior care near Yankton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Yankton

More for Yankton 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 Yankton, SD