Respite Care in Bellingham, WA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bellingham, WA: the local picture

15,407

residents 65 or older (16% of Bellingham)

60%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Whatcom County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bellingham ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bellingham live with someone: 60% 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 4,363 Bellingham residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (30% in Whatcom County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 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 Whatcom County and Washington

Census figure	Bellingham	Whatcom County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	30%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	29%	26%
Residents 65 or older	16%	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.8%	8.5%	8.9%
Households with no vehicle	9.5%	6.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,801	$63,400	—

Older residents in towns around Bellingham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Marietta-Alderwood, WA	4.6 mi	836	22%
Sudden Valley, WA	6.1 mi	1,581	23%
Ferndale, WA	8.8 mi	2,516	31%
Everson, WA	12 mi	447	34%
Lynden, WA	14 mi	2,947	35%
Birch Bay, WA	17 mi	2,626	26%

Hospices serving Bellingham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Whatcom Hospice	Bellingham, WA	0.9 mi	(360) 733-5877
Eden Hospice	Bellingham, WA	3.2 mi	(360) 892-6628
Hospice Of The Northwest	Mount Vernon, WA	25 mi	(360) 814-5550
Whidbeyhealth Hospice And Palliative Care	Coupeville, WA	38 mi	(360) 678-7605
Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South	Lacey, WA	120 mi	(206) 459-8311

Nursing homes near Bellingham (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Rock Hill Health & Rehabilitation	Bellingham, WA	0.3 mi	2 of 5	52	(360) 733-9161
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham	Bellingham, WA	1.3 mi	5 of 5	105	(360) 734-6760
Alderwood Park Health And Rehab Of Cascadia	Bellingham, WA	2.3 mi	5 of 5	102	(360) 733-2322
MT Baker Care Center	Bellingham, WA	2.8 mi	5 of 5	70	(360) 734-4181

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 Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $4,900 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. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 5 hospices for Bellingham ZIP codes, including Whatcom Hospice, Eden Hospice, Hospice Of The Northwest.

How much does respite care cost in Bellingham?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $4,900 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. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Washington.

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, WA