Respite Care in Avoca, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Avoca, PA: the local picture

549

residents 65 or older (22% of Avoca)

72%

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

27%

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

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Avoca ZIP codes

Most older adults in Avoca live with someone: 72% 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 150 Avoca residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (32% in Luzerne County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Avoca ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Avoca compared with Luzerne County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Avoca	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.5%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.9%	11%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	4.5%	9.5%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$55,536	$49,926	—

Older residents in towns around Avoca

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dupont, PA	1.0 mi	486	39%
Duryea, PA	2.0 mi	980	28%
Old Forge, PA	2.2 mi	2,099	36%
Moosic, PA	2.3 mi	1,317	41%
Pittston, PA	2.4 mi	1,369	34%
West Pittston, PA	3.1 mi	1,030	22%

Hospices serving Avoca

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart	Moosic, PA	3.4 mi	(570) 706-2400
Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC	Moosic, PA	3.4 mi	(888) 923-5842
Commonwealth Hospice Of Berwick	Forty Fort, PA	8.9 mi	(570) 231-5407
Traditional Hospice	Dunmore, PA	9.6 mi	(570) 207-9286
Allied Services Hospice LLC	Clarks Summit, PA	11 mi	(570) 341-4320

Nursing homes near Avoca (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oak Ridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Taylor, PA	3.0 mi	1 of 5	142	(570) 562-2102
Scranton Health Care Center	Scranton, PA	3.9 mi	4 of 5	44	(570) 341-6676
Highland Manor Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Exeter, PA	4.7 mi	2 of 5	120	(570) 655-3791
Wesley Village	Pittston, PA	4.7 mi	3 of 5	160	(570) 655-2891

Straight-line miles from the center of Avoca. 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 Avoca

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 26% of the $4,628 monthly median income of Avoca 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 Avoca: common questions

Which hospices serve Avoca?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Avoca ZIP codes, including Hospice Of The Sacred Heart, Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC, Commonwealth Hospice Of Berwick.

How much does respite care cost in Avoca?

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 26% of the $4,628 monthly median income of Avoca 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 Avoca. 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 Avoca

More senior care near Avoca

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Avoca

More for Avoca 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 Avoca, PA