Respite Care in Belfast, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Belfast, ME: the local picture

2,729

residents 65 or older (39% of Belfast)

80%

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

23%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Waldo County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Belfast ZIP codes

Most older adults in Belfast live with someone: 80% 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 615 Belfast residents aged 65 or older report a disability (23%) (31% in Waldo County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Belfast compared with Waldo County and Maine

Census figure	Belfast	Waldo County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	23%	31%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	26%	29%
Residents 65 or older	39%	25%	22%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	1.7%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.8%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	17%	5.8%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,979	$53,917	—

Older residents in towns around Belfast

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Camden, ME	15 mi	1,423	21%
Bucksport, ME	16 mi	1,040	34%
Rockland, ME	21 mi	1,784	33%
Hampden, ME	24 mi	962	43%
Brewer, ME	29 mi	2,163	36%
Pittsfield, ME	29 mi	509	20%

Hospices serving Belfast

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice	Rockport, ME	17 mi	(207) 284-4566
Gentiva	Brewer, ME	28 mi	(207) 573-7012
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Bangor, ME	30 mi	(207) 942-2920
Bristol Hospice - Bangor LLC	Bangor, ME	30 mi	(207) 605-9620
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Auburn, ME	64 mi	(207) 784-4242

Nursing homes near Belfast (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Harbor Hill Center	Belfast, ME	1.1 mi	3 of 5	40	(207) 338-5307
Windward Gardens	Camden, ME	15 mi	not rated	73	(207) 236-4197
Breakwater Commons	Rockland, ME	22 mi	2 of 5	96	(207) 301-6810

Straight-line miles from the center of Belfast. 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 Belfast

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 29% of the $5,582 monthly median income of Belfast 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 Belfast: common questions

Which hospices serve Belfast?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Belfast ZIP codes, including Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice, Gentiva, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company.

How much does respite care cost in Belfast?

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 29% of the $5,582 monthly median income of Belfast 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast

More senior care near Belfast

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Belfast

More for Belfast 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 Belfast, ME