Respite Care in Bethesda, MD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bethesda, MD: the local picture

13,206

residents 65 or older (19% of Bethesda)

75%

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

22%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Montgomery County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bethesda ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bethesda live with someone: 75% 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 2,890 Bethesda residents aged 65 or older report a disability (22%) (26% in Montgomery County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Bethesda ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bethesda compared with Montgomery County and Maryland

Census figure	Bethesda	Montgomery County	Maryland
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	23%	27%
Residents 65 or older	19%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.7%	7.4%	9.5%
Households with no vehicle	9.6%	8.5%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$173,565	$109,242	—

Older residents in towns around Bethesda

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Friendship Heights Village, MD	2.3 mi	1,292	32%
Chevy Chase, MD	2.4 mi	2,265	32%
Brookmont, MD	2.4 mi	649	16%
North Bethesda, MD	3.4 mi	8,632	24%
South Kensington, MD	3.4 mi	1,612	33%
North Kensington, MD	4.4 mi	1,825	29%

Hospices serving Bethesda

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Capital Hospice	Washington, DC	3.1 mi	(202) 244-8300
Holy Cross Home Care And Hospice	Silver Spring, MD	6.4 mi	(301) 557-4663
Montgomery Hospice & Prince Georges Hospice	Rockville, MD	7.4 mi	(301) 921-4400
Jewish Social Service Agency Hospice	Rockville, MD	7.4 mi	(301) 881-3700
Capital Hospice	Falls Church, VA	9.5 mi	(703) 712-4874

Nursing homes near Bethesda (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Carriage Hill Bethesda	Bethesda, MD	1.5 mi	3 of 5	108	(301) 897-5500
Maplewood Park Place	Bethesda, MD	1.8 mi	5 of 5	31	(301) 530-0500
Lisner Louise Dickson Hurthome	Washington, DC	2.5 mi	5 of 5	60	(202) 966-6667
Sterling Care Bethesda	Bethesda, MD	2.5 mi	3 of 5	200	(301) 530-1600

Straight-line miles from the center of Bethesda. 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 Bethesda

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 11% of the $14,464 monthly median income of Bethesda households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Bethesda: common questions

Which hospices serve Bethesda?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Bethesda ZIP codes, including Capital Hospice, Holy Cross Home Care And Hospice, Montgomery Hospice & Prince Georges Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Bethesda?

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 11% of the $14,464 monthly median income of Bethesda households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Bethesda. 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 Maryland.

More near Bethesda

More senior care near Bethesda

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bethesda

More for Bethesda 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 Bethesda, MD