Respite Care in Allentown, PA
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Allentown for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Allentown, PA: the local picture
Most older adults in Allentown live with someone: 66% 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 5,958 Allentown residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (30% in Lehigh County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 19 hospices serving Allentown ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Allentown compared with Lehigh County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Allentown | Lehigh County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 30% | 32% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 27% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 18% | 19% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.9% | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 16% | 8.5% | 9.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 17% | 8.3% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $40,631 | $58,170 | — |
Older residents in towns around Allentown
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorneyville, PA | 2.5 mi | 1,334 | 18% |
| Fullerton, PA | 2.6 mi | 1,899 | 29% |
| Emmaus, PA | 4.2 mi | 1,963 | 35% |
| Catasauqua, PA | 4.3 mi | 946 | 32% |
| Fountain Hill, PA | 4.4 mi | 904 | 42% |
| Wescosville, PA | 4.4 mi | 1,267 | 19% |
Hospices serving Allentown
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Valley Hospice | Allentown, PA | 0.8 mi | (610) 402-7800 |
| Family Pillars Palliative Care Hospice, LLC | Center Valley, PA | 4.7 mi | (201) 218-1447 |
| Advantage Home Health And Hospice | Bethlehem, PA | 5.1 mi | (888) 264-3501 |
| St Luke's Hospice | Bethlehem, PA | 5.2 mi | (484) 526-1100 |
| Ahc Home Health And Hospice Of Lehigh Valley | Bethlehem, PA | 6.6 mi | (484) 245-7300 |
Nursing homes near Allentown (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Shepherd Home Raker Center | Allentown, PA | 0.7 mi | 2 of 5 | 99 | (610) 776-3199 |
| Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center | Allentown, PA | 1.1 mi | 3 of 5 | 343 | (610) 794-5300 |
| Jewel Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center | Allentown, PA | 1.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 146 | (610) 432-4351 |
| Cedar Crest Post Acute | Allentown, PA | 2.9 mi | 4 of 5 | 166 | (610) 776-7522 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Allentown. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Allentown
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $3,386 monthly median income of Allentown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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.
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.
Respite Care in Allentown: common questions
Which hospices serve Allentown?
Medicare lists 19 hospices for Allentown ZIP codes, including Lehigh Valley Hospice, Family Pillars Palliative Care Hospice, LLC, Advantage Home Health And Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Allentown?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $3,386 monthly median income of Allentown households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Allentown. 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 Pennsylvania.
More senior care near Allentown
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Dorneyville, PA
- Respite Care in Fullerton, PA
- Respite Care in Emmaus, PA
- Respite Care in Catasauqua, PA
- Respite Care in Fountain Hill, PA
- Respite Care in Wescosville, PA
- Respite Care in Hokendauqua, PA
- Respite Care in North Catasauqua, PA
- Respite Care in Coplay, PA
- Respite Care in Bethlehem, PA
- Respite Care in Northampton, PA
- Respite Care in Macungie, PA
- Respite Care in Ancient Oaks, PA
- Respite Care in Egypt, PA
- Respite Care in Hellertown, PA
- Respite Care in Freemansburg, PA
Other care in Allentown
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.
Find respite care in Allentown
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