Respite Care in Athens, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Athens, PA: the local picture

732

residents 65 or older (23% of Athens)

51%

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

40%

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

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Athens ZIP codes

Most older adults in Athens live with someone: 51% 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 268 Athens residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (30% in Bradford County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Athens ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Athens compared with Bradford County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Athens	Bradford County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	30%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	49%	29%	30%
Residents 65 or older	23%	22%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.7%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	12%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	19%	6.9%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$29,289	$44,659	—

Older residents in towns around Athens

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Sayre, PA	3.4 mi	1,220	23%
Waverly, NY	5.4 mi	1,084	44%
Towanda, PA	12 mi	529	20%
Owego, NY	17 mi	629	30%
Southport, NY	18 mi	1,629	38%
Elmira, NY	19 mi	4,114	43%

Hospices serving Athens

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Guthrie Hospice	Towanda, PA	12 mi	(570) 265-8615
Family Hospice	Altoona, PA	139 mi	(814) 946-5411

Nursing homes near Athens (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Athens Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Athens, PA	2.0 mi	1 of 5	90	(570) 731-6919
Sayre Health Care Center	Sayre, PA	4.7 mi	3 of 5	90	(570) 888-2192
Elderwood At Waverly	Waverly, NY	5.1 mi	1 of 5	200	(607) 565-2861
Robert Packer Hospital Skilled Care And Rehabilit	Towanda, PA	11 mi	2 of 5	68	(570) 268-2239

Straight-line miles from the center of Athens. 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 Athens

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 50% of the $2,441 monthly median income of Athens 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.

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 Athens: common questions

Which hospices serve Athens?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Athens ZIP codes, including Guthrie Hospice, Family Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Athens?

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 50% of the $2,441 monthly median income of Athens 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 Athens. 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 near Athens

More senior care near Athens

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Athens

More for Athens 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 Athens, PA