Hospice Support in Worcester, MA: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Worcester, MA: the local picture

25

Medicare-certified hospices serve Worcester ZIP codes

4,006

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Worcester County)

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Worcester County)

Medicare lists 25 hospices whose service area includes Worcester ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Jhc Hospice in Worcester (1.4 mi) and Notre Dame Hospice in Worcester (1.7 mi).

8,586 Worcester residents 65 or older live alone (33% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Worcester compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Worcester	Worcester County	Massachusetts
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.9%	2.2%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	11%	7.3%	7.2%
Residents 65 or older	13%	17%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	10%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,808	$61,599	—

Older residents in towns around Worcester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Northborough, MA	8.7 mi	1,399	36%
Spencer, MA	9.6 mi	1,479	48%
Westborough, MA	9.7 mi	790	32%
Oxford, MA	11 mi	971	26%
Upton, MA	12 mi	649	33%
Clinton, MA	12 mi	1,142	38%

Hospices serving Worcester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Jhc Hospice	Worcester, MA	1.4 mi	(508) 713-0512
Notre Dame Hospice	Worcester, MA	1.7 mi	(508) 852-5505
Ascend Hospice	Worcester, MA	2.0 mi	(508) 229-8390
Vna Care Hospice Inc	Worcester, MA	2.9 mi	(508) 756-7176
Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts	Auburn, MA	4.7 mi	(508) 845-2379
Overlook Hospice Services	Charlton, MA	12 mi	(508) 765-1515

Straight-line miles from the center of Worcester. 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 Worcester

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 44% of the $3,901 monthly median income of Worcester 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 Worcester: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Worcester?

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 44% of the $3,901 monthly median income of Worcester 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 Worcester

More senior care near Worcester

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Worcester

More for Worcester 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 Worcester, MA