Respite Care in Arlington, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Arlington, MA: the local picture

8,030

residents 65 or older (17% of Arlington)

66%

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

25%

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

20

Medicare-certified hospices serve Arlington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Arlington 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 1,974 Arlington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 20 hospices serving Arlington ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Arlington compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Arlington	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	9.4%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$83,242	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Arlington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Belmont, MA	1.8 mi	5,235	25%
Winchester, MA	2.6 mi	4,207	26%
Medford, MA	2.8 mi	9,028	31%
Watertown, MA	3.5 mi	6,506	35%
Cambridge, MA	3.7 mi	14,440	24%
Somerville, MA	3.8 mi	8,108	33%

Hospices serving Arlington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Visiting Nurse & Community Care	Arlington, MA	0.4 mi	(781) 643-6090
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	4.4 mi	(781) 935-5550
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	4.7 mi	(617) 738-1113
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	5.9 mi	(617) 242-4872
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	5.9 mi	(617) 969-6130

Nursing homes near Arlington (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Park Avenue Health Center	Arlington, MA	1.1 mi	1 of 5	89	(781) 648-9530
Care One At Lexington	Lexington, MA	2.0 mi	3 of 5	211	(617) 901-8365
Sancta Maria Nursing Facility	Cambridge, MA	2.0 mi	2 of 5	141	(612) 280-1550
Pine Knoll Nursing Center	Lexington, MA	2.2 mi	not rated	81	(781) 862-8151

Straight-line miles from the center of Arlington. 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 Arlington

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 25% of the $6,937 monthly median income of Arlington 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 Arlington: common questions

Which hospices serve Arlington?

Medicare lists 20 hospices for Arlington ZIP codes, including Visiting Nurse & Community Care, Compassionate Care Hospice, First Choice Healthcare Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Arlington?

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 25% of the $6,937 monthly median income of Arlington 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 Arlington. 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 Arlington

More senior care near Arlington

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Arlington

More for Arlington 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 Arlington, MA