Hospice Support in Waltham, MA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Waltham, MA: the local picture

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waltham ZIP codes

1,026

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

32%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (28% in Middlesex County)

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Middlesex County)

Medicare lists 18 hospices whose service area includes Waltham ZIP codes, the nearest offices being First Choice Healthcare Inc in Newton (3.7 mi) and Good Shepherd Community Care in Newton (4.8 mi).

3,165 Waltham residents 65 or older live alone (32% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Waltham compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Waltham	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.4%	6.5%	7.2%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.2%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,556	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Waltham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Belmont, MA	3.2 mi	5,235	22%
Watertown, MA	3.5 mi	6,506	36%
Lexington, MA	3.9 mi	7,430	20%
Newton, MA	4.3 mi	17,046	23%
Arlington, MA	4.5 mi	8,030	34%
Wellesley, MA	6.1 mi	4,691	26%

Hospices serving Waltham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	3.7 mi	(617) 738-1113
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	4.8 mi	(617) 969-6130
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	5.4 mi	(801) 996-3217
West River Hospice	Needham, MA	6.5 mi	(781) 707-9524
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	7.8 mi	(781) 935-5550
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	9.2 mi	(617) 242-4872

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in Waltham

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

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

Questions

Hospice Support in Waltham: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Waltham?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Waltham

More senior care near Waltham

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Waltham

More for Waltham 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 Hospice Support in Waltham, MA