Respite Care in Bellingham, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bellingham, MA: the local picture

992

residents 65 or older (19% of Bellingham)

61%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Norfolk County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bellingham ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bellingham live with someone: 61% 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 347 Bellingham residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (27% in Norfolk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Bellingham ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bellingham compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Bellingham	Norfolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	19%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.4%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.9%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	2.2%	9.2%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,000	$78,127	—

Older residents in towns around Bellingham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Franklin Town, MA	3.5 mi	4,872	23%
Hopedale, MA	3.9 mi	915	50%
Milford, MA	4.4 mi	5,086	24%
Woonsocket, RI	6.5 mi	6,387	37%
Cumberland Hill, RI	8.3 mi	1,309	31%
Millis-Clicquot, MA	8.3 mi	963	13%

Hospices serving Bellingham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Preferred Peaceful Transitions Home Health Care Inc	Milford, MA	4.7 mi	(506) 473-0404
Vna & Hospice Of Greater Milford	Milford, MA	4.7 mi	(508) 473-0862
Hopehealth Hospice & Palliative Care	Attleboro, MA	15 mi	(508) 957-0200
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Massachuse	Norwood, MA	16 mi	(866) 670-9449
Hopehealth Hospice & Palliative Care	Providence, RI	17 mi	(401) 415-4200

Nursing homes near Bellingham (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Blaire House Of Milford	Milford, MA	3.6 mi	1 of 5	73	(508) 473-1272
Oc Milford Gardens LLC	Milford, MA	3.9 mi	1 of 5	135	(508) 473-6414
The Gardens At Cedarwood	Franklin, MA	4.9 mi	2 of 5	82	(508) 528-4600
Countryside Health Care Of Milford	Milford, MA	5.5 mi	4 of 5	109	(508) 473-0435

Straight-line miles from the center of Bellingham. 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 Bellingham

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Bellingham: common questions

Which hospices serve Bellingham?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Bellingham ZIP codes, including Preferred Peaceful Transitions Home Health Care Inc, Vna & Hospice Of Greater Milford, Hopehealth Hospice & Palliative Care.

How much does respite care cost in Bellingham?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $3,417 monthly median income of Bellingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Bellingham. 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 Massachusetts.

More near Bellingham

More senior care near Bellingham

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bellingham

More for Bellingham 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 Bellingham, MA