Respite Care in Andover, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Andover, MA: the local picture

1,732

residents 65 or older (18% of Andover)

68%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Essex County)

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Andover ZIP codes

Most older adults in Andover live with someone: 68% 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 561 Andover residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (30% in Essex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 18 hospices serving Andover ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Andover compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Andover	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	12%	9.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,274	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Andover

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lawrence, MA	3.2 mi	9,318	47%
Methuen, MA	6.3 mi	9,206	34%
Wilmington, MA	6.4 mi	3,647	26%
Reading, MA	8.5 mi	5,289	24%
Lowell, MA	9.2 mi	14,960	41%
Haverhill, MA	9.2 mi	10,483	35%

Hospices serving Andover

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassus - Southern Massachusetts	North Andover, MA	2.5 mi	(978) 777-8222
Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC	Haverhill, MA	8.0 mi	(800) 331-1044
Tufts Medicine Care At Home	Lowell, MA	8.1 mi	(978) 552-4000
Care Dimensions, Inc	Danvers, MA	12 mi	(978) 822-3846
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Danvers, MA	12 mi	(781) 756-2488

Nursing homes near Andover (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Andover Manor Rehab And Nursing	Andover, MA	0.7 mi	2 of 5	174	(978) 475-0944
Vantage At Andover LLC	Andover, MA	1.4 mi	3 of 5	135	(978) 470-3434
Royal Wood Mill Center	Lawrence, MA	3.6 mi	3 of 5	94	(978) 289-5048
Prescott House	North Andover, MA	3.6 mi	2 of 5	126	(978) 691-7530

Straight-line miles from the center of Andover. 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 Andover

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 30% of the $5,690 monthly median income of Andover 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 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 Andover: common questions

Which hospices serve Andover?

Medicare lists 18 hospices for Andover ZIP codes, including Compassus - Southern Massachusetts, Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC, Tufts Medicine Care At Home.

How much does respite care cost in Andover?

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 30% of the $5,690 monthly median income of Andover 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).

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 Andover. 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 Massachusetts.

More near Andover

More senior care near Andover

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Andover

More for Andover 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 Andover, MA