Respite Care in Augusta, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Augusta, ME: the local picture

4,103

residents 65 or older (22% of Augusta)

47%

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

30%

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

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Augusta ZIP codes

Most older adults in Augusta live with someone: 47% 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 1,134 Augusta residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (32% in Kennebec County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Augusta ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Augusta compared with Kennebec County and Maine

Census figure	Augusta	Kennebec County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	53%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	22%	21%	22%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.1%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	8.0%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	14%	7.5%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,934	$51,898	—

Older residents in towns around Augusta

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hallowell, ME	5.3 mi	860	37%
Gardiner, ME	10 mi	1,201	32%
Winthrop, ME	11 mi	500	23%
Waterville, ME	15 mi	3,131	40%
Oakland, ME	15 mi	392	45%
Winslow, ME	16 mi	1,114	27%

Hospices serving Augusta

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Constellation Hospice, Constellation Health Services	Augusta, ME	1.8 mi	(207) 370-6470
Mainegeneral Community Care	Waterville, ME	16 mi	(207) 861-6200
Andwell Health Partners	Lewiston, ME	28 mi	(207) 777-7740
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Auburn, ME	30 mi	(207) 784-4242
Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice	Rockport, ME	33 mi	(207) 284-4566

Nursing homes near Augusta (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maine Veterans Home - Augusta	Augusta, ME	1.3 mi	5 of 5	108	(207) 622-2454
Augusta Center For Health & Rehabilitation, LLC	Augusta, ME	2.1 mi	3 of 5	72	(207) 622-3121
Mainegeneral Rehab & Long Term Care - Glenridge	Augusta, ME	2.6 mi	5 of 5	125	(207) 626-2600
Mainegeneral Rehab & Long Term Care - Gray Birch	Augusta, ME	3.7 mi	4 of 5	77	(207) 621-7100

Straight-line miles from the center of Augusta. 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 Augusta

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $2,828 monthly median income of Augusta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Augusta: common questions

Which hospices serve Augusta?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Augusta ZIP codes, including Constellation Hospice, Constellation Health Services, Mainegeneral Community Care, Andwell Health Partners.

How much does respite care cost in Augusta?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $2,828 monthly median income of Augusta households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Augusta. 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 Maine.

More near Augusta

More senior care near Augusta

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Augusta

More for Augusta 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 Augusta, ME