Respite Care in Barre, VT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Barre, VT: the local picture

1,635

residents 65 or older (19% of Barre)

64%

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

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Washington County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Barre ZIP codes

Most older adults in Barre live with someone: 64% 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 683 Barre residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (29% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Barre ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Barre compared with Washington County and Vermont

Census figure	Barre	Washington County	Vermont
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	29%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	31%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	22%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.7%	2.5%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	8.7%	8.7%
Households with no vehicle	14%	6.0%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,045	$58,890	—

Older residents in towns around Barre

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Montpelier, VT	5.6 mi	1,949	31%
Northfield, VT	8.2 mi	613	43%
Morrisville, VT	25 mi	557	28%
St. Johnsbury, VT	29 mi	1,208	29%
Middlebury, VT	35 mi	1,431	34%
Hanover, NH	36 mi	1,489	30%

Hospices serving Barre

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice	Barre, VT	0.8 mi	(802) 224-2265
Caledonia Home Health Care	Saint Johnsbury, VT	29 mi	(802) 748-8116
Bayada Hospice	Rutland, VT	47 mi	(802) 857-5030

Nursing homes near Barre (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Barre Gardens Nursing And Rehab, LLC	Barre, VT	0.7 mi	1 of 5	96	(802) 476-4166
Woodridge Nursing Home	Barre, VT	1.1 mi	2 of 5	153	(802) 371-4700
Premier Rehab And Healthcare At Berlin	Barre, VT	2.7 mi	1 of 5	115	(802) 229-0308
Mayo Healthcare Inc.	Northfield, VT	8.6 mi	4 of 5	50	(802) 485-3161

Straight-line miles from the center of Barre. 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 Barre

At the Vermont median aide wage of $20.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,733 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $3,087 monthly median income of Barre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Vermont's minimum wage is $14.42 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 Barre: common questions

Which hospices serve Barre?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Barre ZIP codes, including Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, Caledonia Home Health Care, Bayada Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Barre?

At the Vermont median aide wage of $20.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,733 a month in wages, which is 56% of the $3,087 monthly median income of Barre households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Vermont's minimum wage is $14.42 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 Barre. 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 Vermont.

More near Barre

More senior care near Barre

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Barre

More for Barre 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 Barre, VT