Veterans' Home Care in Carthage, MO: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Carthage, MO: the local picture

256

veterans aged 65 or older (12% of residents 65+)

2,055

residents 65 or older (13% of Carthage)

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Jasper County)

39%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Jasper County)

About 256 Carthage residents aged 65 or older are veterans (12% of that age group; 17% in Jasper County), out of 632 veterans of all adult ages in town.

49% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (41% in Jasper County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Carthage compared with Jasper County and Missouri

Census figure	Carthage	Jasper County	Missouri
Residents 65+ who are veterans	12%	17%	16%
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	41%	34%
Residents 65 or older	13%	16%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	36%	25%	21%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	25%	12%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,739	$44,883	—

Older residents in towns around Carthage

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Webb City, MO	7.7 mi	1,788	20%
Oronogo, MO	8.0 mi	272	15%
Joplin, MO	11 mi	10,195	15%
Carl Junction, MO	12 mi	1,201	29%
Granby, MO	16 mi	353	15%
Galena, KS	18 mi	480	15%

Hospitals near Carthage

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Hospital Carthage	Carthage, MO	1.1 mi	4 of 5	(417) 358-8121
Mercy Hospital Joplin	Joplin, MO	12 mi	1 of 5	(417) 781-2727
Freeman Health System - Freeman West	Joplin, MO	12 mi	2 of 5	(417) 347-1111

Straight-line miles from the center of Carthage. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Carthage

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $2,978 monthly median income of Carthage households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Consumer Directed Services in Missouri: how a relative becomes a paid caregiver.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Carthage: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Carthage?

At the Missouri median aide wage of $15.90 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,378 a month in wages, which is 46% of the $2,978 monthly median income of Carthage households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Carthage

More senior care near Carthage

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Carthage

More for Carthage 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.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Carthage, MO